MDH announces next round of COVID-19 community testing events

Rebecca Omastiak

In this May 23, 2020, file photo, a vehicle arrives at COVID-19 testing site at Steele Indian School Park, in Phoenix. Coronavirus cases are rising in nearly half the U.S. states, as states are rolling back lockdowns.[AP/ Matt York]

Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced its next round of community testing.

The department has been working with local communities to provide free, on-site COVID-19 testing in areas with outbreaks, increasing cases or other barriers to access existing test sites.

This round of testing will take place the week of Oct. 5 in Cloquet, Ely, Fairmont, Inver Grove Heights, St. Joseph and Willmar.

The tests will be conducted via nasal swab and will be processed either by Mayo Clinic Laboratories or the University of Minnesota.

Anyone who wants to be tested is encouraged to schedule an appointment, even if they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms. Those who make an appointment do not need insurance or identification. To avoid long lines, people are asked to pre-register for a time slot, via the links for each testing site below. Those who are unable to sign up online or need interpretation can call 1-855-612-0677 for help.

Here is a list of those testing events:

Cloquet

When: Oct. 6-Oct. 8, 12-6 p.m. each of those days

Where: Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Gym, located at 2101 14th Street

Schedule an appointment here

Ely

When: Oct. 6-Oct. 8, 12-6 p.m. each of those days

Where: St. Louis County Ely Garage, located at 2210 East Sheridan Street

Schedule an appointment here

Fairmont

When: Oct. 6-Oct. 8, 12-6 p.m. each of those days

Where: Fairmont Armory, located 700 North Fairlakes Avenue