COVID-19 testing volume increase expected
LA CROSSE, Wis. ― The first day of COVID-19 testing since the holidays saw near record volumes at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.
On Monday, Dec. 27, 480 patients were seen for COVID-19 testing, which is double the normal capacity for the testing site located at 10th and Market streets in La Crosse. COVID-19 testing volumes the week of Dec. 19 were 4% greater than the week prior.
"We can't thank our staff enough for once again assisting with this latest surge in testing for the needs of the patient," says Megan Eddy, Nursing Administration, Mayo Clinic Health System, Southwest Wisconsin. "Unfortunately, we believe this is a trend we will see continue through January. We plan to staff accordingly while continuing to offer COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations."
"Fortunately, we're 20 months into the pandemic, and labs have built up a lot of testing capacity, including ours at Mayo Clinic," says Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., director of Clinical Virology at Mayo Clinic. "We have capacity to accommodate increasing demand. We also have contingency plans in place to further increase that testing capacity in the event that demand spikes. So, again, the fortunate news is that we have worked throughout the course of the pandemic to bring up more tests, and test manufacturers have worked on producing more and getting more equipment in place. We are in a better position today to respond to that testing demand.
"We will continue to test as needed, but the key point is for our community to continue to do their part with getting vaccinated and when out in public wearing a mask over the course of the winter months. This is going to continue to be important in hopefully driving down case rates locally."
Eligible patients can schedule a flu vaccination, COVID-19 vaccination or booster, or a COVID-19 test through their Patient Online Services account or Mayo Clinic app, or by calling 608-392-7400.
# # #
Press Contact
Rick Thiessee-mail: thiesse.ricky@mayo.edu
phone: 608-392-9425