Gundersen Health System researchers have been working diligently to develop a way to test for the virus locally.
Dr. Steve Callister led a team at the Gundersen Medical Foundation’s Microbiology Research Lab with assistance from the La Crosse medical Health Science Consortium and UW-La Crosse. The tests is based on the CDC “cookbook” to create an effective and reliable test.
“Having the testing available in-house allows us to provide rapid turnaround test results, which is especially important when the patient is seriously ill or when rapid testing of close contacts are warranted,” Callister said.
The ability to test locally, however, will not change the criteria for testing, as test and material shortages are and will continue to be an issue nationwide.