Governor says partnership with Mayo, U of M will position Minnesota to lead U.S. in testing
Gov. Tim Walz announced new plans Wednesday for widespread Covid-19 testing in partnership with Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota.
The collaboration means, effective immediately, all Minnesotans with Covid-19 symptoms will be able to be tested. State officials had previously been advising patients with mild symptoms to quarantine at home.
By increasing access to testing, health officials say they will be able to more effectively trace and isolate the virus — leading to a process in which the state can gradually begin to re-open society.
“Having this greatly increased testing capacity will improve our understanding of how COVID-19 is spreading in Minnesota, and will provide key data to inform our decisions about how to protect Minnesotans,” said Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm.
Working with the Minnesota Department of Health, Mayo and the U of M plan to create a central lab to accommodate the expanded testing, along with a virtual command center to monitor daily testing needs and coordinate rapid responses to outbreaks.
The initiative, which will eventually establish a capacity for delivering 20,000 molecular and 15,000 serology tests a day, is being funded in part by $36 million from the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund.
Speaking Wednesday, Walz said by leveraging the state’s healthcare systems, Minnesota may wind up with the largest testing capacity in the nation, if not the world, and provide a model for other areas looking for a way to navigate through the global pandemic.
"We are smothering this issue of testing with what I would argue is talent better than any place on the planet," said Walz.
Dr. William Morice, president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joined the governor for Wednesday’s press conference. He said the goal of the partnership is to restore the public’s confidence in their safety.
Morice also said Mayo will continue to put Minnesota first, even though its labs’ capabilities extend well beyond the state. Of the 120,000 molecular tests processed so far at Mayo, 30,000, he said, have been for Minnesotans.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayo Clinic has prioritized Minnesota’s needs, offering the state unlimited access to Mayo’s unmatched testing capabilities and providing assistance and expertise whenever asked,” said Morice. “Mayo’s commitment continues today as we pledge further support for Minnesota’s statewide testing strategy.”
Officials said the program will be open to patients seeking care across the state. Patients experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 are encouraged to contact their providers as soon as possible to schedule a test.
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
