UW Health calls for broader COVID-19 testing in community due to emergence of delta variant

MADISON, Wisconsin – With the delta variant leading to increased infection rates, health officials are urging the public to get tested for COVID-19 despite their vaccine status.

A press release from UW Health said anyone with symptoms of COVID such as cough, runny nose, threatening pain, fever, and loss of taste or smell should get tested. People who have been exposed to the virus or anyone traveling should also get tested, according to the latest guidelines from state and federal health experts.

UW Health said testing remains important whether or not someone has been vaccinated against COVID.

“We now know that the delta variant is much more infectious than the original strain, and although rare, even those who have been vaccinated can become infected with the virus and pass it on to others,” Dr Nasia said. Safdar, Medical Director, Infection. control, UW Health, and associate professor of medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. “Testing is just as necessary as ever. “

Those who are vaccinated may think that being infected with COVID is not as dangerous due to their vaccination status, but the virus can still spread despite the severity of the symptoms.

“Testing continues to be a critical step in tracking this virus, but we all need to do our part to stop the spread by masking, physically distancing ourselves and most importantly by getting vaccinated,” Safdar said. “Together, we can save lives and keep our friends, neighbors and families safe and healthy. “

UW Health is offering COVID testing and is partnering with Public Health Madison & Dane County for public community testing at the John Wall Drive facility.

For a list of other test sites, click here.

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