New saliva test site for COVID-19 to open in Morris

An option for free saliva testing for COVID-19 will soon be available in Morris.

Gov. Tim Walz announced that the site will open Tuesday, Oct. 19.

“With the addition of this new site, Minnesotans in and around Morris now have another safe, free, and easy testing option,” Walz said in a news release. “Testing for COVID-19 helps keep our children safe in the classroom and workers protected on the job. Through the at-home testing program and community sites in cities around the state, Minnesotans have more opportunities to choose the option that is best for their families.”

The Morris site will be at the Morris Armory, located at 722 Iowa Ave. Testing at the Morris site will occur Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning Tuesday, Oct. 19. The site will have the capacity to conduct 500 tests per day.

“With school in full swing and more activities moving inside due to colder weather, testing remains vital to protecting our children and families from COVID-19,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “By expanding our robust, collaborative testing program, we have removed testing obstacles for families across the state. In addition to getting vaccinated, social distancing, masking indoors, and staying home when sick, we know testing can help us slow the spread of the COVID-19 and limit its negative impacts in our communities.”

Locations and hours of all the state’s community testing sites can be found here.

Testing is open to Minnesotans who believe they need a COVID-19 test, with or without insurance. Testing is free at all of the state’s community testing sites. Participants that have health insurance will be asked for their insurance information so the state can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or if insurance does not cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference, so testing remains at no cost.

State guidance on who should get tested can be found on the COVID-19 Testing webpage.

Those who arrive for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before being tested. Once they arrive at a testing location, they will self-administer the test by salivating into a funnel attached to a small tube. Site staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process.

While walk-ins are welcome, people seeking testing at state sites can still schedule an appointment . Tests will be processed in Minnesota at the saliva lab in Oakdale. Results will be provided via email in approximately 24-28 hours after the lab receives the testing sample.

Accessibility accommodations are offered at the state’s community sites. To request an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), spoken language, American Sign Language and/or other accommodation, Minnesotans are encouraged to call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline, 1-833-431-2053.

How Minnesotans can get a free COVID-19 test:

• Order a test through the state’s no-cost at-home COVID-19 testing program .
• Find a testing option near you through the state’s Find Testing Locations
• Walk-in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s no-cost community testing sites across Minnesota.

How Minnesotans can get their free shot:

• Walk in or make an appointment through the Vaccine Connector .
• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 public hotline, 1-833-431-2053, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Use the state’s Vaccine Locator Map to find a vaccine provider near you.
• Check for vaccine appointments using the Vaccine Finder . You can search for appointments by vaccine type (e.g., Pfizer).
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
• Employers may also reach out with information about vaccination opportunities.