3 Rapid Testing Sites Open In MN; More To Launch Next Week

MINNESOTA — Minnesota public health officials launched three new rapid coronavirus testing sites this week, with four more to open next week .

The Minnesota Department of Health is now offering rapid antigen tests at Minnesota National Guard armories in Stillwater, Crookston and Hutchison. Additional rapid testing sites are set to open in Inver Grove Heights, Wadena, Hibbing and Albert Lea, Fox 9 reported.

Gov. Tim Walz toured the Stillwater Armory facility Thursday and urged Minnesotans to take advantage of the state-run sites amid a recent surge in coronavirus cases, according to the report.

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The Minnesota Department of Health on Friday reported 2,150 new coronavirus cases, taking the state's total number of cases past 770,000. More than 8,500 residents have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, with 22 deaths added Friday, according to the Department of Health.

In September, the seven-day average of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths reached their highest marks of 2021, according to public health data.

The rapid nasal-swab tests take about 15 minutes to complete and results are available within two hours, Walz said.

Anyone with coronavirus-like symptoms can get tested at the rapid sites. The cost of the test is covered by insurance providers or the federal of state government, officials said.

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Rapid tests are also available in Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Moorhead and St. Paul. Those sites also offer saliva-based tests.

Click here to find coronavirus testing sites and schedule an appointment.