COVID-19 testing soars at hospitals in La Crosse; Gundersen capping tests at drive-up lab

Testing for COVID-19 in La Crosse has ramped up over the past 10 days and one facility is now capping the number.

Over the past 8½ days, Gundersen Health System has done 3,988 tests at its drive-up lab, setting records three of those days (Dec. 20, 22, 27) for the number of tests done. Three other days, Gundersen did testing for just half the day, otherwise testing numbers would have been even higher.

Information on where to get tested can be found below.
The county has detailed the numerous places to get vaccinated here.
New guidelines on COVID-19 exposure can be found here.

Gundersen says it has now capped the drive-up testing lab at 600 per day on weekdays and 300 on weekends/holidays.

Meanwhile, Mayo Clinic Health System performed 480 tests Monday alone — double its normal capacity.

“These are numbers that are very similar to when we first started testing over a year ago and when we had our first large scale run of COVID in the community,” Mayo communication head Ricky Thiesse said, noting Mayo has averaged about 1,300 tests a week the past two months.

Free tests are still provided at a UW-La Crosse site, but it won’t be back open until Jan. 3.

The next free National Guard testing site in La Crosse County will be from noon-6 p.m. on Jan. 3, downtown, at the Health & Human Services Building parking lot (map). Pre-register here to get through faster.

COVID-19 testing is available at several Walgreens locations. Set up an appointment here.

Mayo provided some info for those wondering whether they should get tested or not:

• If you feel symptomatic, get tested.  Use Check Symptoms through Patient Online Services or the Mayo Clinic app for a recommendation based on your symptoms or call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at 608-392-7400.
• You can also use the Check Systems assessment tool, navigate to Check Symptoms in Patient Online Services, and select the Coronavirus button. Then follow the instructions to answer the assessment questions.
• When you’ve answered all the questions, care recommendations will be provided. After reviewing the provided care recommendations, select “I Accept This Recommendation.” If a COVID-19 test is recommended, information will be provided to you about the process for testing.

For those who want an at-home test, both Wisconsin residents can order a collection kit online for free, as can Minnesota residents (click here). It will include detailed instructions on how to collect the saliva, which includes a video call with a testing supervisor through Vault Medical Services, and ship it back via UPS dropbox to the lab for processing. This is a saliva test and is similar to a nasal swab test you might receive at a community testing site.