From direct care, to device and diagnostic, these four Minnesota-grown companies are commanding the global charge against COVID-19.
Mayo Clinic
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Mayo Clinic Laboratories has worked nonstop to develop a new, faster test for COVID-19, a process that would normally take up to a year. Mayo Clinic is now able to test 6,000 tests daily.
Mayo Clinic’s rapid creation of a test for COVID-19 is a demonstration of Medical Alley’s ability to swiftly respond to the world’s most dire healthcare needs. The clinic is now processing tests from other health care providers in Minnesota and select areas of the country where there is high demand. Mayo also provided processing services to help alleviate testing backlogs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Colorado. In total, Mayo has performed more than 42,000 tests to date.
The Mayo Clinic also launched drive-thru testing at the beginning of March. Now Mayo Clinic Rochester offers a drive-thru screening process for Minnesotans who meet criteria for COVID-19 testing.
You can continue to expect more innovation from this seminal institution. Researchers at Mayo Clinic expect to release a test that would tell whether a person has had and recovered from COVID-19 early next week. The tests would help public health officials understand the scope of the outbreak and identify people who could safely be in public to help with relief efforts.
Mayo Clinic has several resources available to help educate and protect against COVID-19’s spread and impacts. You can find them all at Mayo Clinic News Network, which includes all Mayo resources on COVID-19 and is updated regularly.
Medtronic
Medtronic, a Minnesota-born global leader in medical technology, continues to make progress in increasing ventilator production worldwide. Medtronic is an industry leader in respiratory care and device innovation with a high-performing ventilator design. The company has increased production by more than 40 percent and is on track to double its capacity to manufacture and supply ventilators in response to COVID-19 needs.
In a remarkable show of support for the healthcare community, Medtronic is making available to anyone the full design specifications, product manuals, design documents and, in the future, software code for its Puritan Bennett (PB) 560 portable ventilator hardware.
Ecolab
In January, Ecolab started ramping up production of sanitizer and other surface disinfectants to meet rising global demand. From their headquarters in St. Paul, Ecolab is working hard to meet the demand of care providers and other essential industries still in operation.
Their production facilities are running day and night to meet unprecedented demand for its products. Meanwhile, additional safety measures are being implemented to help keep employees and customers safe.
Enhancing its reputation as leader in infection prevention solutions, Ecolab also provides guidance and training on proper cleaning procedures to help customers reduce COVID-19 risk.
3M
3M has been on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19 for months, having already doubled its global output of N95 respirators to 100 million per month. They recently announced a further increase in U.S. production, up to 50 million masks per month.
3M has not changed the prices for 3M respirators as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. To help customers identify and avoid price gouging, 3M published its price list for their most common mask products.
In addition to increasing output of N95 respirators, 3M said it maximized production of hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and other products used to protect against the virus.
Medical Alley Resource Connect
These four companies exemplify the leadership of this region. During these unprecedented times, Medical Alley is fully focused on combating and solving the COVID-19 pandemic. Many companies have reached out to our association with a desire to help, with offers of surplus supplies, manufacturing capacity, expertise, and more. Others have reached out asking for help, needing supplies, equipment, expertise, and more.
Our association launched COVID-19 “Resource Connect” to help align the resources of Minnesota’ health technology community with the needs of medical staff fighting COVID-19. We are reviewing submissions daily and are attempting to match needs with solutions. Medical Alley is coordinating with the State of Minnesota, the federal government, and other partners to ensure that the scale of the community can be recognized.
MAA COVID-19 INFORMATION DISCLAIMER:
The Medical Alley Association is providing COVID-19 related information, including the “COVID-19 Resource Connect” feature on its website and summaries of laws, executive orders, and government programs that may be of interest to members, as a public service. The Medical Alley Association makes no representations, guarantees, or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, or suitability of the COVID-19 related information provided by the Medical Alley Association on its website, in newsletters, or in any other communications. The Medical Alley Association specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that may result from providing COVID-19 related information online or in other communications or linking to third party websites or other sources of information. The Medical Alley Association makes no effort to independently verify, and does not exert editorial control over, information provided by third parties.
The Medical Alley Association does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or documentation referenced in, or connected to parties through, the COVID-19 Resource Connect feature or via this website or other communications.
