ST PAUL, Minn. — COVID-19 saliva tests are becoming more accessible to Minnesotans as the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) pushes to increase testing across the state.
As many say that saliva tests are less invasive than the more common nasal swab test, this option is increasingly popular.
If you're interested in a COVID-19 saliva test in Minnesota, here's where you can look:
In-person
As part of its push to increase testing, MDH has opened saliva testing locations around Minnesota. They are completely free, regardless of symptoms or insurance. If someone's insurance does not cover the test, or only offers partial coverage, MDH will pay the difference to keep tests free.
Health officials say increased testing is needed to help people find out if they have COVID-19 and help the department track, trace, and find asymptomatic people to prevent more spreading.
The state has opened several semi-permanent COVID-19 saliva testing locations across Minnesota. So far, they are:
Brooklyn Park
- Starlite Center
- 8085 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
- Monday - Friday: 12 p.m.- 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Burnsville
- Former Pier 1 store
- 1501 County Rd 42 W, Burnsville, MN 55306
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Duluth
- Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
- 350 Harbor Dr (Paulucci Hall 2, 3, 4, 5), Duluth, MN 55802
- Wednesday - Friday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mankato
- 1940 Adams Street, Mankato, MN 56001
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Minneapolis Convention Center
- 1301 2nd Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Monday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Moorhead
- Former Thomas Edison Elementary School
- 1110 S. 14th Street, Moorhead, MN 56560
- Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
MSP Airport
- 4300 Glumack Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111
- Terminal 1, Level 2 of the Blue Ramp, in the former rental car service-counter area
- Daily: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
St. Cloud
- River’s Edge Convention Center
- 10 Fourth Ave. South, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Wednesday - Friday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Paul
- Roy Wilkins Auditorium, next to Saint Paul RiverCentre
- 175 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102
- Monday - Friday: 12 - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Winona
- Winona Mall
- 1213 Gilmore Ave., Winona, MN 55987
- Wednesday - Friday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Worthington
- Worthington Event Center
- 1477 Prairie Drive, Worthington, MN 56187
- Monday, Thursday and Friday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Appointments for these locations can be made here, though walk-ins are also accepted. MDH also offers free pop-up community testing events throughout Minnesota. Those events can be found on MDH's website.
At home
- Minnesota Department of Health
- MDH has expanded its COVID-19 Test at Home program, originally a pilot project to residents of 24 Minnesota communities. It ships saliva tests to residents and allows them to mail them in for processing. The program is completely free, like MDH's in-person saliva testing. Results can be expected within 24-48 hours after the test has been received by the Oakdale processing lab.
- Vault Health
- The company that developed the COVID-19 saliva tests, and has partnered with MDH for the Minnesota testing locations, offers saliva tests that can be ordered online and shipped anywhere in the country. They can be purchased for $150, and according to Vault Health, results can be expected 24-72 hours after a sample has arrived at the lab.
- Costco
- Tests are also available to be purchased online from Costco for $129.99, or $139.99 if you want to be observed by a health care professional via video call while you are self-administering the test to ensure you are following the steps correctly. Costco also expects to deliver results within 24-72 hours after receiving a sample.