ST PAUL, Minn. — State health officials are taking a campaign of free, no-barrier testing for COVID-19 to six more Minnesota communities starting October 5.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says the tests, available to anyone who wants to be tested whether they are showing symptoms or not, will be given in St. Joseph, Willmar, Fairmont, Inver Grove Heights, Ely and Cloquet.
The testing events set for Oct. 5-8 are part of an effort to increase access to “no-barrier” COVID-19 testing following increased levels of community spread statewide. The Minnesota National Guard will provide logistical support for a number of these events, as they have in communities the past two weeks.
“We know some people who contract COVID-19 might not even know they have it,” Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “That’s part of what makes this virus so dangerous and makes easy access to testing and quick results so important. All who contract the virus are contagious and giving people a chance to get tested allows people to isolate if positive and let their close contacts know they should quarantine."
MDH is using testing data to identify communities experiencing workplace clusters, are close to bordering states, or haven’t yet had larger-scale testing offered. This strategy will help increase the geographic balance of testing across Minnesota, and allow health officials to respond where the health risk is greatest.
Testing opportunities have already been offered in Grand Rapids, Pine City, Waseca, Bloomington, Maplewood, Moorhead, Marshall, Thief River Falls and Bemidji.
"Minnesotans in communities across are the state understand the risk and are responding," said Malcolm. "More than 4,700 people sought a test on the first two days of events this week and many people already know their results.”
Here is the preliminary schedule for next week's no-barrier testing.
St. Joseph
Tuesday, Oct. 6; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Thursday, Oct. 8
12 to 6 p.m.
Clemens Field House, College of Saint Benedict
37 College Ave S
St. Joseph, MN 56374
St. Joseph Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment
Willmar
Tuesday, Oct. 6; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Thursday, Oct. 8
12-6 p.m.
Willmar Armory
614 North Highway 71 S
Willmar, MN 56201
Willmar Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment
Fairmont
Tuesday, Oct. 6; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Thursday, Oct. 8
12-6 p.m.
Fairmont Armory
700 N Fairlakes Ave
Fairmont, MN 56031
Fairmont Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment
Inver Grove Heights
Tuesday, Oct. 6; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Thursday, Oct. 8
12-7 p.m.
Inver Grove Heights Armory
8076 Babcock Trail
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
Inver Grove Heights Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment
Ely
Tuesday, Oct. 6
12-6 p.m.
St Louis County Ely Garage
2210 E Sheridan St
Ely, MN 55731
St. Louis County Community COVID-19 Testing: Schedule Appointment
Cloquet
Tuesday, Oct. 6; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Thursday, Oct. 8
12-6 p.m.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Gym
2101 14th St
Cloquet, MN 55720
Carlton County/Fond du Lac Community COVID-19 Testing
For more information and to register for an appointment, visit the COVID-19 Community Testing webpage.
