MARSHALL — With Labor Day weekend starting and cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Lyon County, local authorities are saying it’s not time to ease up on coronavirus safety precautions.

On Friday, the area Joint Information Center, which includes Lyon County and the city of Marshall, as well as Avera Marshall and Southwest Health and Human Services, said it’s still crucial to wash your hands, wear a mask in public and avoid large gatherings of people. Marshall Public Safety Director Jim Marshall called on members of the public to show personal accountability to their community.

“Our actions can impact the ability of schools and businesses to stay open and the ability of local hospitals to care for the number of patients who need their services. We’re all in this together,” Marshall said.

Numbers of positive COVID-19 cases have been on an increase in Lyon County over the past several days. The Minnesota Department of Health reports that Lyon County now has a total of 556 confirmed cases — an increase of 83 from Aug. 28.

“As the pandemic goes on, I think we’re seeing fatigue set in across our communities,” Marshall said. “People are tired of the safety practices we’ve been following for several months now, and some are beginning to relax their approach. We completely understand that. We all want things to go back to normal. But it’s important right now for us to double down on these safety measures. That’s what has gotten us this far. We just need to find the resolve to keep going.”

Changing factors in the local COVID-19 situation, like community spread and the approach of cold and flu season, have also prompted some changes in Marshall’s testing locations this week.

Avera Marshall spokespeople said COVID-19 testing will now be done at the Bruce Street clinic, instead of through a drive-up sample collection location.

“The value of a drive-through general collection location has run its course given the wide community spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Timothy Mok, an urgent care physician with Avera Medical Group Marshall. “Not all respiratory illnesses are COVID-19. Illnesses such as pneumonias, sinus infections, worsening of COPD and asthma, are still common during a pandemic. In fact, it is even more important now than ever to have these non-COVID-19 illnesses diagnosed sooner rather than later.”

Area residents who are experiencing symptoms are now encouraged to call Avera Marshall locally at 532-9661.

“Our new onsite call center team is staffed to answer calls promptly – typically in a matter of seconds,” Mok said. “Calling the local number will help patients get prompt access to care,” whether that means an in-person visit or a virtual one, Mok said.

Care and testing for COVID-19 is available during regular clinic hours, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through urgent care. People having severe trouble breathing should go to the Emergency Department, Avera Marshall said.

“The outdoor collection site was a short-term approach in our response to the pandemic. We’ve been gradually transitioning this care inside and slowly reducing the hours of the collection site over the last few weeks,” said Mary Maertens, regional president and CEO of Avera Marshall. “We have learned a lot about COVID-19 over the last several months, and we know we can safely collect specimens inside without putting staff or patients at risk. We are also following guidance from the MDH which encourages us to sort out respiratory illnesses and direct patients for the best treatment plan as we move into fall.”