Gundersen and Mayo issue public statement warning about the peak in COVID-19 cases

Gundersen Health System Chief Executive Officer Dr. Scott Rathgaber and Mayo Clinic Health System Regional Vice President Dr. Paul Mueller on Thursday issued a joint statement asking the public to help in the fight against the coronavirus.

"We are seeing increased infections, hospitalizations and deaths in our communities. Our staff are strained. Our testing sites have longer lines and higher positivity rates," the statement says.

The two executives say the region was able to flatten the curve and avoid tragedy this spring and summer: "By masking, distancing, and hand washing, we protected each other, limited the spread of the virus, and saved lives."

Now, however, the two doctors say, "we lost ground."   They add, "Local health systems remain open and safe for care of all types, but the rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations threaten our ability to care for you." 

The Mayo and Gundersen leaders say that if everyone DOES NOT avoid large gatherings in the community, wear a mask, keep distance from others, wash hands, and stay home when ill, the hospitals might have to postpone or cancel surgeries, procedures and appointments; might run out of beds to care for people who need immediate Hospital care; and might not have enough staff to provide care to patients, COVID and non-COVID

Says the joint statement: "This has been a long and hard several months. We know the end is not yet in sight. We know you are tired and want to resume a normal life. We are tired, too.  Now is not the time to let our guard down and suffer the fate of so many other communities across the state and nation. We have shown that we care enough about each other to work together to defeat this pandemic.  Your actions make a difference. Together, we will succeed."