COVID-19 testing rising at Mayo Health System

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COVID-19 testing has reached the highest volumes seen in over a year across Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Wisconsin.

During the week of Jan. 3, COVID-19 testing increased by 23% across Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Wisconsin. It was the second busiest week since testing began in the region. The busiest week was the second week of November 2020.

On Jan. 3 alone, over 600 patients were seen for COVID-19 testing at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. That’s double the normal capacity for the testing site at 10th and Market streets in La Crosse.

Not everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 needs to seek medical care. Young, otherwise healthy people without any comorbidities who are experiencing mild symptoms can recover at home.

“Most cases of COVID-19 actually resolve without needing any kind of prescription medication or advanced care,” explains Dr. Melanie Swift, co-chair of Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation and Distribution Work Group.

When it comes to at-home COVID-19 care for mild symptoms, Dr. Swift says it’s about the simple things: getting rest, staying well-hydrated and possibly taking over-the-counter medications for symptoms of a fever.

“If you find that you're having trouble breathing, you need to get medical attention,” says Dr. Swift. “Chest pain, or pressure in the chest, is another reason to stop with self-care and get medical attention. If you find yourself getting confused or lightheaded, or if you feel like you might pass out, that’s a reason that you need to get medical attention. And then if your oxygen levels were to drop very low, and you or other people noted that you started to look very pale or even bluish, especially your lips or fingertips, that’s a sign that you need more oxygen and need to get to medical care emergently.”

On Jan. 3, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to include a single booster dose for 12- to 15-year-olds. The FDA also shortened the time needed before receiving a booster vaccination from at least six months after completion of the initial vaccination series to at least five months for everyone 12 and older.

Eligible patients can schedule a COVID-19 vaccination, COVID-19 booster vaccination or flu vaccination, or a COVID-19 test, by contacting Mayo Clinic Health System using Patient Online Services or by calling 608-392-7400.

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