MARSHALL — With the demand for COVID-19 testing decreasing, a drive-up location in Marshall will be reducing its hours of operation.

Starting Monday, drive-up sample collection services at the Carlson Street clinic will only be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Avera Marshall said.

The drive-through hours will still be from 9 a.m. to noon on those three days, Avera Marshall announced.

Avera Marshall Regional President and CEO Debbie Streier said the drop in COVID cases in the area, and wider availability of at-home tests, have meant less demand at the sample collection site.

“COVID-19 case counts, positivity and reproduction rates are declining. Our hospitals and clinics across Avera still remain busy but at a more manageable level than weeks ago,” Streier said. “We are cautiously optimistic and hopeful that this trend will continue.”

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health said there were 2,012 new COVID cases reported statewide, including 13 new confirmed cases among Lyon County residents. However, those numbers were lower than they were a few weeks ago when Minnesota was seeing a record spike in COVID cases.

The number of new COVID cases reported in Minnesota has been on a downward trend since January, MDH data said.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 6,265 confirmed COVID cases among Lyon County residents, and 71 deaths.

Although COVID numbers have been declining in Minnesota in recent weeks, Avera Marshall spokespeople said it’s still important to get tested for COVID if you experience symptoms.

“We need to keep following the recommendations of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),” said Avera Marshall Chief Medical Officer Dr. Timothy Mok. “If you are vaccinated and boosted, you can avoid quarantine if exposed to COVID-19 but should mask for 10 days and watch for symptoms. If you haven’t received the primary vaccine and the booster, you should stay home for five days if exposed and then wear a mask for five days after leaving quarantine.”

While the drive-up sample collection center will be reducing its schedule, COVID-19 testing is also available through an urgent care visit at Access Health – Marshall, located at the Carlson Street clinic. Urgent care hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Avera encourages individuals seeking a COVID test for travel or event-related reasons to plan ahead and use at-home mail-in testing. Information is available on the COVID-19 page at Avera.org.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters continue to be encouraged, Avera Marshall spokespeople said. Individuals can visit vaccines.gov to find local vaccine options or call Access Health – Marshall at 507-476-4800.