1. Public Health
  2. Coronavirus
  3. Testing

Testing

Free COVID-19 Community Testing Site

At the Alliant Energy Center: 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713.

  • Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, from 8:00am – 4:00pm, and 
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00am – 8:00pm.
  • Mornings (from open until about 9:30am), particularly on Monday mornings, are the busiest time of day. If you're in a rush, we recommend coming later in the day.
  • Testing is open until at least August 31.

There are also pop-up community test sites happening around Dane County. Keep an eye out on your local community center’s website to see if one is opening near you.

If it has been at least 5 days since you got tested at the Alliant Energy Center and you haven't received your results, call the Wisconsin COVID-19 Results Line at (866) 419-6988.

If you can, pre-register first

We encourage you to pre-register as close as possible to your planned testing time to make sure we have your most current symptoms. After you pre-register, you'll receive a QR code (it's like a bar code). You can pre-register on a computer at home and print out your QR code or you can pre-register on a smart phone and show the QR code on your device.

Register online

  • Follow these instructions on how to register. If you don't register online, you will still be tested. Staff will register you, but it will take more time. This document outlines the questions you'll be asked when you pre-register.

    • If you come with other family members, each person must register individually. You can use the same email address for multiple people. You will be emailed one QR code for each person registered.
    • You only need to register online once. If you get tested again, you do not need to register online again. You can reuse your original registration and QR code for multiple tests. If you don’t have your original QR code, staff can look up your registration using your email address, name and date of birth.
  • You'll be asked your name, birthday, address, phone number, race, ethnicity, and gender. By asking for race, ethnicity, and gender we can better identify possible disparities.

Testing details

  • No appointments
  • Free
  • No ID is needed and you won't be asked for your immigration status.
  • Spanish and Hmong translators are available onsite.
  • You do not need to be a Dane County resident.
  • This test involves swabbing a sample from about one inch inside your nose. It will only tell us if you have COVID-19 right now. It does not tell us if you had COVID-19 in the past.

Testing is open to everyone 5 years of age and older

Testing is open to anyone 5 years of age and older, but we do have a few recommendations (see below). Anyone 5-17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian authorized to give consent for the COVID-19 test on their behalf. If you're able to be tested at your doctor's office, we encourage you to do so.

We recommend testing for:
  • People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for about 15 minutes) with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
  • People with COVID-19 symptoms
  • People who have regular exposure to a large number of people (e.g., people who work in grocery stores)
  • People who work closely with high-risk populations (e.g., healthcare workers, people who work with people who are incarcerated, people who work in long-term care facilities)
We do not recommend testing for:
  • People who plan to attend a gathering and "want to make sure they're okay." Testing only tells you if you had COVID on the day you were tested. A negative test does not necessarily mean it is safe to gather with others.
  • People who are getting tested frequently. We do not recommend routine, repeated testing just for peace of mind. Tests cost about $100 each and are in limited supply.

Transportation

  • You can drive, bike, or walk to the site

    • If you drive, you cannot use the walk-up lane. The walk-up lane is reserved for those who bike or walk to the Alliant Energy Center.
    • You can have multiple family members in your car to be tested.

  • For a free ride to the site, call the Public Health Transportation Line at (608) 243-0420. A transportation company will then call you to schedule the ride. It’s required that you wear a cloth face covering when using this service.

  • You can leave the line at any time. If you need help finding an exit, please let a staff person know and they can guide you.

Severe weather

Testing will continue through severe weather up to and including a tornado watch. In the event of a tornado warning, we will pause operations (including closing exterior doors) and shelter in place until the watch has expired and it is safe to resume operations.

Getting your results

Limit contact with others while you wait

Until you have your test results, limit contact with others. This is very important, especially if you have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you have symptoms like fever, cough, and sore throat.

Expect a Call or Email with Your Results

Results can take 3-7 business days or longer. We cannot expedite test results.

  • For negative results: you will be emailed a secure link. You will be prompted to enter your name and date of birth to verify your identity, and then can view and print your results.  If you didn’t provide an email address, you will be called with your results.
  • For positive results: you will be called by Public Health staff.

If it has been at least 5 days since you got tested at the Alliant Energy Center and you haven't received your results, call the Wisconsin COVID-19 Results Line at (866) 419-6988.

Don't Let Your Guard Down

Remember that your test is a snapshot in time. COVID-19 is circulating in our community, and you could still be exposed to the virus in the future. Don’t let your guard down—keep up the strong prevention measures you’ve been taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19)