On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health will open a free COVID-19 saliva testing location in St. Paul, the first saliva testing location to open in the Twin Cities. Below are excerpts from a Minnesota Health Department press release providing more information. Learn more about COVID-19 saliva testing in Minnesota.
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Testing is free to all Minnesotans who believe they need a COVID-19 test, including those who are asymptomatic. Participants will be asked for their health insurance information so the state can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or for any reason insurance doesn’t cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference so testing remains completely free to everyone.
The saliva test is a PCR test, just like the traditional nasal swab, with the same effectiveness rate; however, it is more comfortable to take. Those who come for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once they arrive at the site, they will self-administer the test by spitting into a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process.
The state opened the first saliva testing site in Duluth on Sept. 23. Since then, saliva testing locations have opened in Winona, Moorhead, Brooklyn Park, Mankato, and St. Cloud; state officials plan to open at least three more in the Twin Cities metro area in coming weeks. Those tests will be processed right here in Minnesota, at the new saliva lab in Oakdale. Results will be provided via email within 24-48 hours.
Testing will be located in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, part of the Saint Paul RiverCentre complex at 175 Kellogg Blvd. Limited free parking will be available on the roof of the Saint Paul RiverCentre ramp. Metered parking is also available in Rice Park. To access the entrance to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, people are encouraged to take the skyway from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, enter the doors by the RiverCentre marquee sign on Kellogg Boulevard, or enter at the Rice Park entrance located on Washington Street, and follow directional signage.
St. Paul COVID-19 saliva testing site: Roy Wilkins Auditorium, next to Saint Paul RiverCentre
175 W Kellogg Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55102
COVID-19 Testing Parking & Entrance Map (PDF)
Free parking is available on the roof of the RiverCentre ramp. If that is full, metered parking is available in Rice Park.
Entrances:
- Skyway from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, follow signs
- Doors by the main RiverCentre sign at 175 W Kellogg Blvd, follow signs
- Rice Park entrance on Washington Street near Herb Brooks statue, follow signs
Monday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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