State launches COVID home saliva test

Steele and Mower counties have been selected as two of 23 counties in Minnesota for a pilot of the COVID-19 Test at Home saliva program.
The pilot, which was announced on Oct. 22 by the Minnesota Department of Health, allows Minnesotans to remain in homes for free testing. Those living in the counties selected will be able to order a saliva test online, to perform in the comfort of their own home. These tests are available in select service areas free of charge to any Minnesotan who believes they need to be tested. It will soon be available to all Minnesotans.
“Minnesota’s testing strategy includes having multiple options for people seeking out testing,” said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “Having more options helps to remove barriers, ensuring all Minnesotans have access to quick and reliable testing. The continued increase in COVID-19 cases across Greater Minnesota, tied to small, everyday gatherings, is very concerning. Testing is one way we slow the spread of COVID-19, and the mail order program provides yet another method for Minnesotans to access testing.”
Steele and Mower were the only counties selected for the program in southeastern Minnesota.
These places selected for the initial pilot represent geographically diverse areas of the state, prioritizing locations that do not currently have a saliva testing location or where community testing events have been limited. Minnesota currently has four saliva testing sites open, in Duluth, Winona, Moorhead, and Brooklyn Park, with Mankato scheduled to open last Friday and up to five more to follow in coming weeks.
Through the mail order program, Minnesotans can order a saliva test online to be shipped to their home. They then perform the test by spitting into a small tube, under the supervision of a health care professional through a video telehealth visit. Once completed, the test is shipped to the state’s new saliva lab in Oakdale, where results are then emailed to the person in 24-48 hours.
“The saliva testing program has made our testing strategy more resilient by offering a convenient method that further reduces the risk of exposure to COVID-19,” said Dan Huff, MDH assistant commissioner for health protection. “We’re eager to make the Test at Home program available - the pilot will provide important information for how the program will work not just in our more populated areas, but more remote locations as well. We’ll use that information to make necessary adjustments before making the program available to all Minnesotans statewide, as soon as possible.”
“We are excited that this will be another option for our residents to get tested for COVID-19,” said Steele County Public Health Director Amy Caron. “We do have a wonderful testing facility in Owatonna through Mayo Clinic Health System and we hope this will enhance those testing efforts by giving people the option to conduct a test in their own homes. I hope our residents will take advantage of this opportunity and assist us in curbing the spread of the COVID -19 virus that has upended our lives.”
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 does not cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference so testing remains completely free to everyone.
For more information on the COVID-19 Test at Home program, and to order a test, please visit COVID-19 Test at Home.