MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Department of Health announced Wednesday that it will open the state’s COVID-19 saliva testing site in Winona.
The free saliva tests will be presented at Winona Mall beginning October 14 and will be presented to all Minnesotans who think they want to be tested, adding those who have no symptoms.
“We cannot let our guard down in our war against COVID-19,” said Jan Malcolm, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health. “Saliva testing gives Minnesota some other option to seek testing when they need it. Access to testing and identifying positive cases as soon as possible is an essential way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and maintain the schools and the economy as open as you can imagine.
The Winona Mall will be open five days a week. Wednesday to Friday, noon to 6 p. m. ; Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a. m. 4 p. m.
People are encouraged to make an appointment on the registration website, but other people are welcome.
Health officials said they tested Americans by eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking for at least 30 minutes before offering a sample.
Once there, they will self-administer the check by spitting in a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will be on site to monitor the collection procedure and make sure there is enough saliva to be checked.
“Our saliva control is one of the reliable maximum COVID-19 controls with an effective rate of 99%,” said Jason Feldman, co-founder and CEO of Vault Health. “It is convenient to take and can be done faceless face-to-face interaction, which means there is no threat of virus transmission and no personal protective equipment is required to perform the control. “
Results are emailed within 48 to 72 hours of testing.
The state opened the first saliva check in Duluth on September 23. Since its opening, more than 7,000 more people have been reviewed. State officials plan to open up to 8 more state-round in the coming weeks.