Mayo Clinic Health System tightens visitor policy, reopens COVID-19 testing sites in SEMN

Chad Corey

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(ABC 6 News) – Mayo Clinic Health System is implementing new visitor restrictions in response to increasing cases of COVID-19 in the communities it serves and is enhancing the availability of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 25, the number of visitors allowed in hospitals and clinics will be reduced to one designated visitor per patient

This change affects hospitals in Albert Lea, Austin, Cannon Falls, Lake City, and Red Wing, Minnesota, as well as all Mayo Clinic Health System clinics in the region.

The latest guidelines can be found on the Mayo Clinic Health System website

"We’re testing hundreds of people each day for COVID-19. In southeast Minnesota counties outside of Rochester, 15 to 20 percent of tests are coming back positive," says Robert Albright, Jr. D.O., regional vice president, Southeast Minnesota Region, Mayo Clinic Health System. "Nearly all patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 are unvaccinated people. For our part, Mayo will continue to vaccinate as many people as possible, give antibody infusions to prevent hospitalizations, encourage masking and educate our communities on the threat of another surge. Our communities can, in turn, help us keep medical professionals available for non-COVID-19 care by getting vaccinated and wearing masks to reduce the spread of the virus."

Off-site COVID-19 testing facilities reopen

Patients in Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna, and Red Wing will soon be directed to new locations for COVID-19 testing due to increased demand. The off-site testing sites will be open for appointments weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT and weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT. Beginning Sept. 4, weekend hours will also be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to provide expanded access to testing.

These clinics will be located at:

  • Albert Lea East Annex
  • This location on St. Mary Avenue will open Aug. 25.
  • Austin 510 Building
  • This location on Second Street Northwest will open Aug. 25.
  • Owatonna Southview Building
  • This location at 134 Southview Street will open Sept. 1.
  • Red Wing
  • The Red Wing location will be announced within the next week.

COVID-19 testing appointments also will be available in Rochester in the 41st Street Professional Building, 4115 W. Frontage Road. This location is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT and weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT.

Appointments are required for all COVID-19 testing. Patients can call 507-434-9929 to schedule a COVID-19 test in Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna or Red Wing, or call 507-293-9525 to schedule a COVID-19 test in Rochester.

Increased access to COVID-19 vaccines

COVID-19 vaccinations will now be offered during all primary care and medical specialty appointments in Albert Lea, Austin, Cannon Falls, Faribault, Lake City, Owatonna, and Red Wing.

Locations and hours for COVID-19 vaccination appointments:

  • Albert Lea Hospital and Clinic – 404 W. Fountain St.
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT.
  • Austin Hospital and Clinic – 1000 First Dr. NW
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT.
  • Owatonna Clinic – 2200 26th St. NW
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT.
  • Red Wing Hospital and Clinic – 701 Hewitt Blvd.
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT.
  • Rochester – 4115 W. Frontage Road
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m. CDT.
  • Rochester – Siebens Building (Phillips Hall) – 100 Second Ave. SW
  • Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT.

Mayo Clinic Health System is now providing additional vaccine doses to immunocompromised patients who have already received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. People are immunocompromised if they have a health condition or are taking medication that suppresses their immune system. At this time, immunocompromised patients who received the Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine do not require an additional dose.