Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Mayo Clinic Health System has announced it will soon close two more of its clinics serving small communities in southern Minnesota.

A news release says the facilities in Kiester and Alden, which are both west of Albert Lea, will be closing on January 25th. Mayo is blaming staffing challenges and low patient numbers for the decision, noting both clinics would normally see fewer than 10 patients a day. The hours at the Kiester and Aldens were cut to just one day a week last fall because of the patient and staffing shortages.

The Mayo Clinic Health System previously closed similarly sized clinics in Adams and LeRoy for the same reasons.

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