Mayo Clinic offers drive-thru testing for coronavirus

Mayo Clinic has begun testing for COVID-19 at a temporary drive-thru area outside of its family clinic in northwest Rochester.

The screening comes as Olmsted County reports its first case of the coronavirus.

Here is more from a Mayo news release:

Mayo Clinic is conducting a drive-through process in Rochester to collect COVID-19 specimens for testing. Transmission of the coronavirus is increasing nationwide, and other institutions have successfully used the drive-through approach.

Patients who meet criteria for testing are directed to the location. Mayo Clinic staff collect the specimens, using appropriate precautions, and send them to the Minnesota Department of Health for analysis. This process reduces the need for other critically constrained resources.

Patients are required to have a phone screening first to determine if testing is appropriate. If approved, patients then will be directed to the drive-through location. There is no additional charge for the drive-through service.

A full breakdown of today’s developments can be found here.

Cover photo via Mayo Clinic