Backlog of COVID-19 tests is eliminated with Mayo's help

Officials reported 32 more cases Sunday, bringing total to 169.

Mar 23, 20200

Jerry Holt – Star Tribune count

Kim Lutes, left, a registered nurse and others carried 1200 N-95 mask donated by Rich Forstner, president at Mavo Systems. The Minnesota Nurses Association held drives collecting any spare certified N95 medical masks from people that can be used by healthcare workers to protect themselves during the coronavirus outbreak.

Minnesota health officials said Sunday that they have caught up to a backlog of COVID-19 tests, as efforts ramped to get much-needed protective gear to health care workers.

There are now 169 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 28 counties around the state, the state health department reported, including 32 it added to the list Sunday. But the confirmed number is likely only a small share of the total number of people with the virus, since the state's public health lab has tested only 4,680 people.

http://www.startribune.com/gov-walz-activates-national-guard-to-transport-healthcare-protective-equipment/569008602/