By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Mosaic Life Care officials say they have plenty of testing kits to test everyone at their hospitals and clinics who have symptoms similar to those diagnosed with COVID-19.
But they don’t have the capacity to expand beyond those who fall strictly within federal and state guidelines.
Mosaic CEO Dr. Mark Laney says the 200 testing kits available to Mosaic are adequate.
“However, we do not have a sufficient supply to expand testing to individuals that are not symptomatic or on a mass scale at this current period of time,” Laney tells reporters during a briefing at the St. Joseph hospital.
Laney expects Mosaic to be able to expand testing by the end of the month.
Mosaic has tested more than 80 people for COVID-19. At this time, none of the tests have come back positive. Several test results are pending.
Mosaic Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner says the 200 kits give them enough to test those who display symptoms similar to those who contract the coronavirus.
“To date, we’ve also been able to test anyone who met state criteria for testing, we’ve been able to test and we do have tests available, and we have also been able to test some patients who may not have completely met state or CDC criteria, however, they were highly suspicious,” Turner says.
Mosaic officials continue to emphasize the steps being promoted to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Mosaic CEO Dr. Mark Laney says hand washing is a must and keeping at least six feet apart really does work.
“Social distancing has been shown to significantly decrease the spread of the infection,” according to Laney. “This is a serious infection and everybody should be taking personal responsibility and accountability for themselves.”