Coronavirus: Website Shows Minnesotans Where They Can Get Tested

MINNESOTA — As part of the state’s effort to provide widespread, rapid testing of the new coronavirus, Gov. Tim Walz Friday unveiled a new website to help Minnesotans find a testing location within their community.

"Access to COVID-19 testing is critical to moving Minnesota forward during this pandemic," Walz said in a statement. "This tool will help make our widespread testing initiative accessible to all Minnesotans, and it’s a direct result of our partnership with the cutting-edge health care sector in Minnesota."

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This testing collaborative now includes 127 clinics and health care facilities across the state. The new COVID-19 website provides access to Minnesotans’ closest testing site, offers general information related to the COVID-19 outbreak, and provides an interactive screening tool to help Minnesotans determine if they need a test.

The interactive testing site allows the state to coordinate with local public health and tribal organizations that have strong connections to the communities they serve, according to a news release.

"Aggressive and expanded testing is an essential part of our overall strategy to mitigate this pandemic," Commissioner of Health Jan Malcom said. "As we strive to reach our goal of testing up to 20,000 people per day, we must do everything we can to expand access points across the state. This work is literally saving lives."

On April 22, Walz, representatives of the state’s health care delivery systems, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota announced a "breakthrough" for rapid, widespread testing of COVID-19 in Minnesota to test all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health surveillance tools.

By building capacity to test as many as 20,000 Minnesotans per day, this increased testing and tracing will support the state’s response to the pandemic and the safe re-opening of society.

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