COVID-19 testing draws 1,019 in Marshall

People tested at community event had 3% positive rate, organizers say

MARSHALL -- More than 1,000 people participated in last week's community COVID-19 testing event, an Avera Marshall spokesperson said Monday.

With more people getting tested, the rates of positive cases are lower than the 7% reported after the first day of testing.

The community testing event was held Wednesday through Friday in Marshall. Over those three days, a total of 1,019 people had samples collected for COVID-19 testing, said Stacy Neubeck, communications coordinator at Avera Marshall. A total of 32 people, or about 3%, tested positive for the coronavirus, she said.

Overall, numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in Lyon County have been on the rise since the beginning of the month. As of Monday, a total of 276 Lyon County residents have tested positive, the Minnesota Department of Health reported.

The community testing event last week was a joint effort, including Avera Marshall, the MDH, Southwest Health and Human Services, and volunteers from the Marshall area community. Organizers said the goal of the event was to help identify people with COVID-19, even if they had mild symptoms or no symptoms. It's possible to spread coronavirus without feeling sick, so testing is important in helping prevent transmission in the community, health officials said.

COVID-19 cases have been rising in the region around Lyon County as well, the MDH reported. Over the weekend, the number of Yellow Medicine County residents testing positive for the virus jumped to 24. Renville County also reported its first COVID-19 death, a person in their 90s, on Saturday. Renville County now has a total of 16 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, the MDH said.

Countryside Public Health, the multi-county health organization serving Yellow Medicine County, is monitoring COVID-19 patients by phone, and providing education and essential services, said Countryside Public Health administrator Liz Auch.

"Countryside Public Health works closely with MDH to conduct contact tracing throughout our five-county area by making sure those in contact with a positive COVID-19 patient are notified and are following proper guidelines," Auch said.

Auch said it's still important for members of the public to take steps to slow the spread of coronavirus.

"We encourage everyone to continue to social distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home when you are sick. If you are experiencing symptoms, seek medical care," she said.