MILWAUKEE — Miller Park became the newest addition to Milwaukee County's list of COVID-19 testing sites on Monday.
Cars lined up before the facility, just east of the stadium, opened at 11 a.m.
"I'm here to get tested because a friend of mine tested positive and I just want to make sure I'm safe," Peter Russo said as he waited in line.
There was a high turnout on the site's first day open. For some, it was an easy stop to make. For others, the location did not matter.
"As long as I get tested it don't matter what location, but I thought maybe since they just opened this site up that it might be quicker," said Frank Lockett, another man waiting for a test.
Milwaukee City and County officials say Miller Park offers a more centralized location and can handle a greater capacity with the ability to handle up to 2,000 tests per day.
People can use the drive-thru or walk-up.
"Just important to know that you’ll be in some lines we'll move things as efficiently as possible it’s going to be variable. Mondays tend to be the busiest days," said Nick Tomaro, Preparedness Coordinator for the City of Milwaukee Health Department.
Tomaro added members of the Wisconsin National Guard, who ran the now-closed UMOS and Barack Obama High School Custer testing sites, helped keep the process efficient and teach new local personnel.
Health officials believe a few factors have contributed to the rise in cases: colder weather, which pushes gatherings indoors and makes it easier for a virus to transmit, and not enough people are following advice to wear face masks and physically distance.
Last week, Wisconsin had three record-setting days of positive COVID-19 cases.
"A mask is just one layer of protection. Spacing is a layer, being outdoors is a layer. There’s a lot of different layers and without all of them it’s not going to be an effective way to prevent transmission of the virus," said Dr. Ben Weston, Director of Medical Services with Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management.
The Miller Park testing site is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
