Increased COVID-19 cases creating delays

Over the past two weeks, Olmsted County has witnessed a rapid increase in our local COVID-19 transmission. We’ve also seen an increased need for testing. Graham Park Collaborative Testing site continues to process 800-1300 vehicles/tests daily. As a result, the lines are longer and waiting times have increased significantly. Please be patient; our staff are working as fast they can, but need to do so safely and effectively. Please plan for additional time when seeking testing.

The tremendous increase in COVID-19 cases is causing delays in our notification systems. Our staff reach out to all positive cases at least once, but this could be a couple of days after your test results. In the meantime, if you have tested positive, we ask that you alert family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues you have interacted with recently and let them know they should quarantine for 14 days. We do not have the capacity to call multiple times. It is important though to work with public health staff when they do call. This work helps to keep transmission low and we need the community’s help to do this.

During this increased activity we ask that you provide grace to staff working long hours providing testing and follow-up services. Their work is saving lives and ultimately helps our community’s businesses and health care facilities operate safely. 

Please help us all control this virus by limiting gatherings of people you don’t live with, continuing to physically distance from others, and wearing a mask when outside the home. It is going to take all of us working together as one community to protect our neighbors, loved ones, and those most vulnerable due to the pandemic.