Mayo Clinic Jacksonville to expand coronavirus testing capabilities

Jacksonville, FL — The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is increasing its process and testing of coronavirus (COVID-19) specimens for existing patients in the Florida region.  Expanded testing is the result of diagnostic processors from Roche Diagnostics.

Mayo says its lab will be able to process more than 1,000 tests per day and will expand capacity over time. Results will typically be reported within 24 hours of testing.

"In the days and weeks to come, we will be working closely with other health care institutions in the region to assist in processing some of their test samples and significantly increase the overall volume of COVID-19 testing done," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO, Mayo Clinic in Florida.

"We will gradually increase our volume of testing over time," says Aziza Nassar, M.D., chair, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic in Florida.

Nassar said as many as 8,000 tests could be processed every week as the capacity increases.

Existing Mayo Clinic patients are eligible for drive-through coronavirus testing from 8 am - 2 pm daily at its campus. To qualify for testing, established Mayo patients must be screened by a Mayo Clinic provider, who will determine if the patient meets the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's testing guidelines, as well as Mayo's Infection Control and Prevention guidelines.

Anyone who tests positive will receive a call from a Mayo Clinic provider. Negative test results will be delivered via automated message.