MARSHALL — Around this time last year, hundreds of people were coming to the Avera Marshall campus on Carlson Street as the clinic kicked off community COVID-19 testing events. But as more area residents are vaccinated, fewer are lining up to be tested, Avera Marshall Regional President and CEO Debbie Streier said.
Avera Marshall will be closing its drive-up testing site effective Thursday. Sample collection for COVID-19 testing will still be available at the main Avera campus on Bruce Street.
Streier said the demand for COVID-19 testing has dropped significantly over the past three months.
“During the height of the pandemic, drive-through collection offered an effective way to manage the volume of patients needing COVID-19 testing. Having this service at our Carlson Street location allowed us to focus efforts on our Bruce Street campus on providing care for other medical needs,” Streier said. “We’ve seen a sustained low volume of sample collection for quite some time and are confident that we can now manage that service in our clinic setting.”
The number of confirmed COVID cases in the area has also fallen this summer. According to Minnesota Department of Health data, there were only six positive cases reported in Lyon County this month, and one probable case. However, two Lyon County residents died of COVID-19 in June. Both people were in their late 80s, the MDH said.
Since the start of the pandemic, Lyon County has had a total of 3,462 confirmed COVID cases, and 54 deaths.
The numbers of positive COVID cases reported across Minnesota have gone down since April, MDH data said. On Monday, there were a total of 60 confirmed cases reported statewide. As of June 26, more than 3.05 million Minnesotans had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
In Lyon County, 11,941 people have received at least one vaccine dose, MDH data said. That figure translates to 56% of Lyon County residents age 12 and older.
Avera Marshall said sample collection at the Bruce Street clinic will be available without an appointment from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The walk-in clinic can be reached by going in the main hospital entrance. Appointments can be scheduled by call 507-532-9661.
Avera Marshall spokespeople said in most cases, sample collection for COVID tests will be part of clinic visits now. “Not all respiratory illnesses are COVID-19,” said Bobbi Jo Vandendriessche, vice president of Avera Medical Group. “Seeing a provider will help patients get an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.”
Vandendriessche said people who need to have a COVID-19 test before a surgery or other medical procedure will have already had a recent appointment with a provider, and will be able to have a test without another appointment. Clinic staff will schedule sample collection for patients having procedures with a local Avera physician. Patients who need a COVID test for a procedure at another health facility can call 532-9661 to schedule one.
Vandendriessche encouraged area residents to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Avera Marshall is offering vaccination appointments Monday through Friday to anyone age 12 and older.
“The vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccination is making a significant impact on us being able to resume normal activities. But we’re not completely there yet. It’s important for us to get ahead of this virus and the new variants that are appearing, and that means getting as many people vaccinated as possible,” Vandendriessche said.
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June 29, 2021 at 12:28PM
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Avera Marshall to close drive-up COVID testing site - Marshall Independent
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