Coronavirus In MN: Gov. Walz Announces State Should Be Able To Test Up To 20K Minnesotans Daily
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced a significant development in Minnesota's COVID-19 testing capabilities, sharing that the state should be able to test up to 20,000 Minnesotans per day.
According to the governor, Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota will be the key players facilitating the state's COVID-19 testing. The partnership, funded in part by $36 million from the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund, will establish the capacity to deliver 20,000 molecular and 15,000 serology tests per day.
Officials say this will assure that every person in the state with symptoms of COVID-19 has the option to get tested.
"When Minnesota faces a challenge, we rise up—together," Governor Walz said. "I'm proud to partner with Minnesota's innovative health care systems and leading research institutions to pioneer how states can begin to move forward amid COVID-19."
The expanded testing will also improve the understanding of how COVID-19 is spreading in Minnesota and will help reopen the state, health officials say.
"This is a good day, this is a glorious day and it's on earth day. This is one for the ages," Dr. Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD, Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School said.
The enormously optimistic announcement comes after frustration over the lack of testing in the state. Public data shows there were only 1,647 tests reported for Wednesday's date and just 847 tests for the day before.
Health officials didn't offer an exact timeline for when they would be able to do the thousands of tests but made it clear it won't happen for another two to three weeks.
Testing will be done statewide, including at labs and hospitals. State officials say the test will be free to all Minnesotans.
The expanded testing will include testing of vulnerable populations, including Minnesotans living in congregate settings and those experiencing homelessness.
While promising, health officials warn Minnesotans to continue to take the virus seriously.
"We are in the very first innings of this game. This is not going to be over anytime soon," Dr. Mike Osterholm, U of M Center for Infectious Diseases said. "This virus will not rest unless 60 to 70 percent of our population has been infected and developed immunity or we get a vaccine."
Gov. Walz says the state's plan will enable Minnesota to conduct more virus testing than anywhere in the U.S.
Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement in response to the governor's statewide testing strategy:
"Expanding Minnesota's ability to test for COVID-19 is a critical step in protecting our health and getting Minnesotans back to work," said Speaker Hortman. "The expanded contact tracing is also important. It's essential for Minnesota's leaders to be guided by science and public health expertise in their decision-making. I'm pleased Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health, and Minnesota's health care providers were able to move quickly to provide expanded testing for our state."
Coronavirus: Latest News | Community Resources | COVID-19 Info | Download Our App | CBSN Minnesota
On Wednesday, Minnesota saw its biggest single-day jump in COVID-19 fatalities, as officials reported 19 additional deaths connected to the pandemic. Of the approximate 49,344 completed tests so far, 2,721 Minnesotans have tested positive for COVID-19.
Walz has previously said the decision to begin reopening Minnesota would heavily rely on expanded testing and contact tracing.
As of writing, Gov. Walz has not mentioned any plans to reopen the state.
