COVID-19 newsletter - March 24, 2022
Local updates and announcements
Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)
COVID-19 cases and impacts on our healthcare systems have declined to a level resulting in Olmsted County being in the “low” COVID-19 Community Level. OCPHS continues its COVID-19 response with gathering information on COVID-19 cases, variants and emerging issues.
OCPHS continues to provide COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. The vaccine is now available through immunization clinics. Call 507-328-7500 to schedule an appointment.
Mayo Clinic
Visitor restrictions in Rochester continue to ease for hospitalized patients
Mayo Clinic in Rochester will further ease restrictions for patients in inpatient facilities, effective Thursday, March 24.
The number of visitors per adult and pediatric inpatient will change to allow two visitors at a time, up to a maximum of five different visitors during a patient's hospital stay. Visitors must be at least five years old, and a responsible adult needs to accompany all visitors under age 16.
For the Neonatal ICUs on Eisenberg 3-5 and Mary Brigh 5 D/E, the number of visitors will change to allow two visitors age 16 or older over the course of the hospital stay.
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations changing locations in Rochester on April 6
Beginning Wednesday, April 6, COVID-19 vaccination, including booster and flu vaccination appointments, will transition from the 41st Street Professional Building Vaccine Clinic to Mayo Family Clinic Northwest, Mayo Family Clinic Northeast, and Mayo Family Clinic Southeast in Rochester.
Appointments can be scheduled on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients can use Patient Online Services or call their local primary care appointment office.
This transition is happening because of a decrease in the number of COVID-19 and flu vaccination appointments at the 41st Street Professional Building Vaccine Clinic.
Mayo Clinic continues to encourage people ages five and older to get vaccinated or to get a booster, if you are age 12 and older and are five months out from a second COVID-19 vaccination.
If you are eligible to receive a booster dose COVID-19 vaccine, check COVID-19 vaccine options by Mayo Clinic campus.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, visit the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 vaccine information site.
Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)
Face Mask Reminder
Employees, vendors, patients, and visitors are reminded to wear a surgical mask when in OMC buildings. If needed, patients and visitors will be provided a surgical mask to wear when going through the screening process. Patients who have their own surgical mask are invited to wear them when visiting an OMC building.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
OMC is scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children ages 5-11. In addition, OMC is offering pediatric vaccination clinics every Saturday. To schedule an appointment, call 507-292-7300.
OMC is offering the Pfizer vaccine booster for patients 12+ who completed their primary series with Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). OMC also continues to offer appointments for first and second doses for the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments are available on Thursdays.
FastCare South and FastCare North updates
Olmsted Medical Center is pleased to announce that FastCare North is now open as a care location.
FastCare North hours are the same as FastCare South: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. To receive care, patients can walk-in to either location or they can schedule a specific time using the patient portal, OMC MyChart. In OMC MyChart, patients should select “Schedule an Appointment” from the menu and then select the option to “find a new provider” under the list of your current providers.
How to get a COVID test
With this change, testing for COVID is now available at both FastCare North and FastCare South. COVID testing hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment for a COVID test, patients need to call the COVID triage line at 507-292-7266 or use OMC MyChart. After signing into OMC MyChart account, the patient should select “Symptom Checker” from the Menu and the select “COVID-19 testing.” When arriving at one of the FastCare locations, patient should remain in their vehicle and check in for their appointment by phone. The phone number is displayed in red in the window area of both buildings. There are no walk-in COVID-19 testing appointments.
Available in OMC MyChart: Online scheduling for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
OMC patients are able to schedule an appointment for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine through the patient portal, OMC MyChart. Appointments can be scheduled for a first dose, second dose, or booster.
When you arrive at the vaccination location, you will be asked a series of questions to be sure you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your vaccine card with you to the vaccination appointment.