On Jan. 15 at 1:16 p.m., writer Kyle Farris announced in a news release that the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse surge testing site at Cartwright Center will no longer be in effect after Friday, Jan. 22.

“The option for La Crosse area residents to get a free, rapid-response COVID-19 test at UW-La Crosse will end Friday, Jan. 22. Those looking to get tested on or before Jan. 22 should register at www.doineedacovid19test.com,” said Farris.

“Since early November, more than 200,000 Surge Tests have been conducted across the state. The program was designed to catch asymptomatic spreaders of the virus by increasing testing access for six weeks, or until mid-December. Surplus resources allowed the program to continue a month past its expected end date,” said Farris.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, eTrueNorth and UW System campuses have made free surge testing sites available across Wisconsin. These tests are available to all members of the community, including students, faculty and residents of La Crosse county.

“UWL would like to thank everyone who has taken advantage of the Surge Testing program in La Crosse and across Wisconsin,” said Farris. “‘It was our privilege to help bring this valuable service to our community,’ Chancellor Joe Gow says. ‘We appreciate everyone who has used this program to make informed decisions regarding health and safety.'”

Surge testing will also be closed Monday, Jan. 18.

For information on testing in the La Crosse area, go to www.lacrossecounty.org/covid19/testing-information.