REGIONAL- A pilot saliva testing site for COVID-19, the first of its kind in the state, was slated to open Wednesday at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).
The site offers free saliva tests to any Minnesotan who believes they need to be tested, including those who do not have symptoms.
The pilot is a collaboration between the state Department of Health and New Jersey-based Vault Health, which makes the saliva test.
“Our saliva test is one of the most reliable COVID tests available with a 99-percent effective rate,” said Jason Feldman, co-founder and CEO of Vault Health. “It’s comfortable to take and can be done without in-person interactions, meaning no risk of virus transmission and no need for PPE to conduct the test.”
Vault Health will operate the Duluth site, as the team has experience running sites like this all across the country. Vault is hiring local staff to work at the testing sites and lead daily operations. For now, the tests will be shipped to Vault Health’s New Jersey lab. Results are typically provided by email within 24-48 hours of arriving at the lab for processing.
When a Minnesota-based lab in Oakdale opens in mid-October, tests will be processed there. The new lab will be capable of processing as many as 30,000 samples a day.
The site will be open five days a week, Wednesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While it is open to walk-ins, people are encouraged to make an appointment in advance to prevent crowding and long lines. Appointments can be made through the registration website. Thirty minutes of free parking in the lot outside the testing site is available.
Individuals will be asked to provide insurance information if they have it, so that the state can bill the insurance company. If a person does not have insurance or insurance doesn’t cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference, so testing remains completely free to everyone.
Those who come for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once at the site, they will self-administer the test by spitting into a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will monitor the collection process to ensure there is enough saliva to be tested.
“Our battle against COVID-19 is far from over,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “The high number of new cases we’ve seen in recent days shows the outbreak could quickly spread out of control, so it’s important to stay a step or two ahead. Increased access to testing and identifying positive cases as early as possible is a critical way to keep schools and the economy as open as possible.”
The state plans to open as many as nine more sites across the state like the one planned for the DECC.
To schedule an appointment or for more information about the saliva testing site in Duluth, please visit COVID-19 Community Testing: Saliva Testing at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/saliva.html.