Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont now offers a drive-through screening process for patients who meet criteria for COVID-19 testing. Transmissions of COVID-19 are increasing statewide and across the nation and other institutions have successfully used the drive-through approach.

As a first step, patients must call their Mayo Clinic Health System primary care clinic. A provider or nurse will determine if patients meet criteria and will schedule a drive-through test. Tests will not be offered to people who have not been pre-screened over the phone. The virus spreads rapidly and this process will help minimize potential exposure to other patients and staff.

Patients experiencing symptoms should take the following steps:

  • First, call their primary care clinic/provider for a phone screening.
  • If they meet the criteria for testing, patients will be directed to the nearest drive-through testing location.
  • At the drive-through location, Mayo Clinic Health System staff will collect the specimens using appropriate precautions.
  • The specimens will then be sent to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for analysis.
  • Patients will be advised of next steps.

Mayo Clinic Health System patients who are scheduled for an appointment, hospital procedure or surgery can be assured our facilities are safe. We continue to coordinate with local and regional partners to take the necessary precautions for the safety of patients, staff and our communities. For the latest on getting care locally during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/covid19“Mayo Clinic continues to actively monitor all aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The safety of our patients, staff and community remains our highest priority.

As part of Mayo Clinic’s response, we have carefully evaluated the readiness of our facilities, personnel, capacity and supply availability, and assessed community transmission within our regions.

Based on this review, Mayo Clinic will defer all elective care that can be deferred for eight or more weeks. This will include both elective surgeries, procedures and office visits.  Semi-urgent, urgent and emergency care will continue in clinic and hospital settings. This deferment will be effective March 23 at all Mayo Clinic locations nationwide, including Mayo Clinic Health System.

This decision is being made to ensure the safest possible environment for our patients and staff and to free up resources to assist in Mayo Clinic’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff working in impacted areas will be redeployed where needed most.

We will be reaching out to patients to update them if changes to their appointments are needed.”

To protect the safety of Mayo Clinic Health System patients and staff during this ever-changing situation with COVID-19, new visitor restrictions are being put into place for all of our facilities in southwest Minnesota, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Patients will be restricted to two visitors per person at hospitals and clinics. Visitors who are ill should not come to visit patients.

We encourage family members to consider other ways to connect with their loved ones via phones or other devices.

We understand that these restrictions will be difficult for patients and their loved ones. We are taking these necessary steps to protect our patients and our staff.

Here is other important information about receiving health care in the upcoming weeks:

What To Do
If you are showing any sign of possible COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your local health care provider. Your provider or a nurse will direct you to our dedicated COVID-19 Nurse Line. If you meet testing criteria, you will be directed to one of our local testing sites.

What NOT To Do

We’re committed to everyone’s safety. This virus spreads rapidly. Help us minimize potential exposure to other patients by not coming into a clinic or hospital to be tested. Please call your local provider first to find out how to be evaluated.

Patient Resources

Please visit our Mayo Clinic Health System COVID-19 online resource site for contact information and the most up-to-the-minute information about COVID-19 and what to do if you have symptoms, unrelated health care needs, or need to visit someone at the clinic or hospital. You can also view updates via Mayo Clinic Health System’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels