When readers began asking more frequently about the availability of COVID-19 testing in the county, we reached out to Kate Surbaugh (KS), Chief Executive Officer of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Grace Grinager (GG), Cook County Public Health Coordinator for answers.
Q- What is the protocol for people to be tested at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic? Can someone ask to be tested who isn’t showing any symptoms at all? And, what is the cost to an individual who might want to be tested?
KS – “COVID-19 testing is covered by most major insurance companies, including medical assistance programs,” said Surbaugh.
The current protocol is that anyone who has symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose – very mild symptoms) can be tested. There may also be tests for asymptomatic individuals in certain situations. For example, if someone has had a known exposure to an infectious person, or if it is ordered prior to surgery. We do not currently have the testing capacity to do a test for any asymptomatic person.
The Governor’s task force has a goal of expanding capacity to 20,000 tests/ day. They have not yet achieved that goal, they have just completed the first phase – they are able to provide just over 5,000 tests/day right now statewide.
It’s also important to keep the limitations of test results in mind. There are many people who, understandably, want the peace of mind from a negative test. However, someone who has a negative test one day can become infected with coronavirus the next day. Widespread testing will only be one piece of the puzzle in fighting the coronavirus. The basic public health strategy to bring the pandemic under control is to find people who are sick, provide them with testing, encourage them to isolate at home (seeking medical care if necessary), reaching out to their close physical contacts (this is called “contact tracing”) and encouraging them to quarantine at home.”
Q- How long does it take to get the results of a test back?
KS- The return time for tests can depend upon the capacity of the labs doing the testing. Recently, for most patients who are coming to the clinic with mild symptoms, the return time for test results is 2-3 days. There are situations in which tests can be returned more quickly, especially in the case of health care workers who have been exposed or hospitalized patients who are very ill.
Q- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently announced that the state has a lot of tests available. In the Twin Cities, they are attempting to test up to 20,000 people per day. I have been asked repeatedly if random testing for Cook County will be available here. If so, would that be done at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic? Or, would a station be set up somewhere else just for that?
KS – As in the first question, the 20,000-tests/per day is the longer-term goal from Governor Tim Walz’s office. The combined total number of tests from lab facilities across the state is currently just over 5,000 tests per day. Some resources that discuss this: www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/situation.html www.boreal.org/2020/05/11/308770/latest-on-covid-19-in-mn-another-stay-home-deadline-looms
We don’t currently have the guidance or the capacity to go out in the community and offer random testing. This is true not just in Cook County, but all across the State of Minnesota. When the big goal of 20,000 tests is reached, MDH may give new guidance. We have to be careful until then – the last thing we want is to use all of our tests on people who are curious, and then run out of supplies to test sick people. Right now, we can test those who call and have reasons as listed above (symptoms, exposure, scheduled surgeries, etc.)
The current testing situation is collaboration between Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and North Shore Health. Sawtooth Mountain Clinic (218-387- 2330) has a Triage Nurse standing by to answer questions about coronavirus symptoms and offer testing options. Callers who are very ill would likely be directed to the ER. Those with moderate symptoms will schedule a special clinic appointment in a section of the clinic where we can safely conduct exams and tests. If symptoms are mild, we arrange for drive-up testing at North Shore Health. Patients need an appointment for the drive-up test. The first step is to call the clinic.
Q- We have a lot of older people in our community who are worried about summer workers coming here for employment. Do you know if they will quarantine for 14 days? Be tested? Both? None of the above?
KS- Grace Grinager from Cook County Public Health, as well as Kimber Wraalstad (CEO North Shore Health) and me, have been part of a local task force assisting local businesses in answering these types of questions. The situations vary quite widely. As far as testing for summer residents, the protocol is the same – those with symptoms should call the clinic to discuss testing options. We are currently testing anyone with possible Covid-19 symptoms.
GG-In response to that question, I would say that the way that businesses bring seasonal employees on-board would vary from business to business. Testing is not available for employees who are not symptomatic for COVID- 19. Under the Governor’s order, every individual business owner is responsible for developing its own preparedness plan for operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some of our local businesses, this would include a plan for how to bring seasonal employees into the community safely.
The plans that businesses make need to comply with the latest guidance on infection control from MDH and the CDC. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has the authority to decide whether a plan is adequate for protecting the health and safety of employees and customers. If a business has questions about how to create their plan, there are templates and checklists on the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (MN DEED) website. The local Chamber of Commerce and County Public Health Department can also be resources for local businesses in their planning.
Q- I have had several people ask me if the doctors and dentists and other health care workers have been tested for COVID-19. Is this something the hospital and clinic are doing? I have been sent articles showing that this is taking place in other communities.
KS –The local health care facilities have been working together, along with Cook County Public Health, to follow the current guidelines from CDC and MDH regarding safety for health care workers. Health care workers do get priority for fast turnaround times when tested. Health care workers also wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in all patient-facing situations.
This PPE both protects the patient from the rare health care provider who may be a carrier but also reduces the health care provider’s chances of contracting the virus and becoming a carrier. Additionally, all health care workers (as well as anyone else entering the SMC/NSH facility) are screened daily for symptoms. Health care workers at the clinic must report their temperatures to management twice daily.
Anyone who is even mildly ill must go home immediately and is usually tested as soon as possible. By combining strong screening, PPE, and fast testing, the local health care facilities are keeping both their health care workers and their communities as safe as possible.
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