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A line forms outside the Waukesha County Expo Center on Wednesday, July 22, prior to the opening of a free COVID-19 drive-thru testing site. The Wisconsin National Guard will conduct testing from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.(Photo: Scott Ash/Now News Group)

WAUKESHA - The heightened numbers of new cases of COVID-19 in Waukesha County has, at the very least, sent some residents scurrying to be tested for infections.

Unofficially, the sudden rush is believed to be related to the rise in local cases 225 new cases over the weekendcompared to an average of about 70 new cases daily beforehand. The county numbers fed a record-setting 1,117 new casesreported statewide on July 21.

In addition, the number of new county cases for July 21, not reflected on the county's coronavirus dashboard as of Wednesday afternoon, totaled 136, the third consecutive record-setting day.

Officially, the county isn't certain if increasing cases are driving a more widespread desire for testing, though its direct involvement with COVID-19 control measures has been limited. There have been no county-mandated pandemicrestrictions in place since the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Gov. Tony Evers' safer-at-home in May.The county's health department has since only issued recommendations, some of which loosened in recent weeks.

The demand for testshas been pronounced enough it had an impact on the county's two-day coronavirus testing program this week at the Waukesha County Expo Center.

On Tuesday, the testing site, conducted in partnership with the Wisconsin National Guard,closed around1:30 p.m. about 5 hours earlier than planned when the available 400 testing kits ran out, according to county officials.

On Wednesday, with the promise of another 400 testing kits, it resulted in a lineof cars waiting outside the entrance hours before the testing site opened. Vehicles 20 deep were seen in queue atthe expo grounds more than 90 minutes in advance of the 11 a.m. start time.

And the demand has been significant enough that the county is planning another two-day testing service at the expo center July 27-28, with 400 test kits expected to be available each day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until supplies again run out.

How the two circumstances the testing demand and the rise in COVID numbers locally relate to each other has been left open to speculation as county officials assess what's happening.

The county's public reaction to the news of the rising infection was slow in coming, and the county's dashboard on coronavirus data was also lagging. As of Wednesday afternoon, it hadn't been updated beyond July 19.

Linda Wickstrom, public information officer for the county's health department and emergency operations center on the front line of local data reporting, deflected all questions to County Executive Paul Farrow's office.

Nicole Armendariz, press secretary for Farrow's office, later responded to questions after huddling with county health officials Wednesday afternoon to review the data reflecting the latest trends in new cases in the county.

Armendariz saidthe numbers for July 18 (106 new cases) and July 19 (119 new cases) were updated to reflect a more modest daily increase compared to the 228 cases that had erroneously been reported on the state's coronavirus website Monday. Both sets of numbers, however, still showed the highest level of new cases within the county since reporting began in March.

"There are an increase in cases reflected in Waukesha County, but again that increase is being seen everywhere in the state," Armendariz said. "As far as cases in Waukesha County, part of that is due to increase in testing, but not all of it. Part of it is also due to there just being more cases overall."

Armendariz acknowledged the growing demand for testing, regardless of the growing number of cases. The expo center effort is part of a larger effort to give residents access to testing, she added.

"We're limited by the number of tests available each day (at the expo center)," she said, noting that the testing was open to all Wisconsin residents, not just those in the county. "The drive-thru test sites are just one of the ways that Waukesha County residents can get COVID-19 tests."

The county has coordinated efforts with local health care providers, for instance, Armendariz said.

"We're continuing to improve upon that, which is one of the reasons we have the (county) test sites." she said.

But she said she would have to consult with the county's public health staff to see if there is any correlation between the testing demand andlocal cases. She added the expo center testing totaled about 170 by 1 p.m. Wednesday and appeared to have enough test kits available to run much later in the day compared to Tuesday.

As cases have risen, so has the demand from some residents asking municipalities to order masks to be worn in public settings.

City of Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly acknowledged earlier in Julyhe has heard from residents wondering if the city was considering such a measure something, he said, he has no authority to do on his own.

And on Wednesday, Muskego Mayor Rick Petfalski issued a public letter noting that he, too, has heard similar demands.

"Unlike suburban communities in Milwaukee County, Waukesha County communities do not have their own health departments," Petfalski said. "I have been advised by legal counsel that communities who do not have their own health department or health official, cannot issue any health related orders or ordinances. If such an order were to come, it would have to come from the Waukesha County Health Department."

The City of Brookfield, echoing those limitations, this week was preparing such a requestto the county. However, the city's common council on Tuesday rejected a motion that would've asked the county to enact a mandatory mask order.

From Muskego's standpoint, Petfalski also acknowledged the emotion the issue has generated as he encouraged individuals to take measures to secure their own health.

"I understand that this is a topic that can bring out strong emotions to people on both sides of this debate," he said. "I ask that no matter which side you fall, please try to respect others choices in this issue. This includes businesses that make the business and health choice that they feel is best for their customers and their businesses."

Contact Jim Riccioli at (262) 446-6635 or james.riccioli@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jariccioli.

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COVID-19 testing site overwhelmed as Waukesha County deals with sharply rising coronavirus infections - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel