MDH begins accepting 2021 appointments for COVID testing

Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced it has started accepting appointments at its community testing sites across the state for January 2021.

While appointments are strongly encouraged, they’re not required. MDH also offers at-home saliva testing across the state.

"Testing is a key component of our strategy to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19," MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. "Through a robust, collaborative statewide testing program, we have made great progress in removing obstacles to testing. When combined with social distancing, masking, avoiding crowds and staying home when sick, testing can help us slow the spread of COVID-19 and bridge to the better days we know are coming."

MDH has more than 20 semi-permanent testing sites across the state, including in Albert Lea, Anoka, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Crookston, Duluth, Hibbing, Hutchinson, Inver Grove Heights, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Mankato, Minneapolis, Moorhead, Morris, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Stillwater, Wadena, Winona and Worthington.

Each site offers saliva testing for free, although insurance information is asked for from those who have insurance so the state can bill those companies on their behalf. However, the tests are completely free to participants.

Testing samples are then processed at the state’s saliva lab in Oakdale, and results are sent via email in 48-72 hours.

You can find more information on community testing here.