Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health, in partnership with local community organizations, are offering free COVID-19 testing this week (week of 9/21) in Saint Paul. Visit ramseycounty.us/testingsites for updates and registration links. If you are not able to sign up online, or need an interpreter, call 1-855-612-0677. Interpreters will also be available onsite.

Community COVID-19 testing will be offered across the Metro this fall. Some of the testing is directed at specific communities and populations, especially those lacking access. 

Latin X Community

• 9/23 – Mexican Consulate

Weekly on-going for all populations

• Every Saturday, starting 9/26 – Aldrich Arena

All populations

• 9/24 and 9/25 – Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 451 Central Ave, St. Paul (see links below for fliers in preferred languages for 9/24-9/25 testing clinic)
  • Somali
  • Karen
  • Hmong
  • Spanish
  • English
• 10/1 and 10/2 – St. Peters AME, 401 East 41^st St, Mpls
• 10/8 and 10/9 – New Hope MBC, 711 Bradley St., St. Paul
• 10/15 and 10/16 – Faith, Family, Life Center, 1922 25^th N., Mpls
• 10/22 and 1023 – United Church of God in Christ, 277 N. Lafayette Frontage Rd, St. Paul
• 10/29 and 10/30 – New Salem, 2507 N. Bryant Ave, Mpls

Pre-registration is required and further information is available on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Community testing is free, does not require insurance, and is open to everyone, symptoms or no symptoms. No ID is required and registration is strongly recommended to reduce wait times.

The Minnesota Department of Health encourages Minnesotans to get their seasonal flu shot. Many people who are more likely to get sick from COVID-19 are also more likely to get sick from the seasonal flu. Older adults, pregnant woman, and people with chronic health conditions should make sure they get a seasonal flu vaccine. Learn more at mdhflu.com.

Getting a flu shot by the end of October is the most effective way to fight the flu. Getting a flu shot can also reduce the risk of spreading the flu to people in your community who are more vulnerable to the illness, like babies, young children, older adults and people with certain chronic health conditions.

There are multiple options available for getting a flu shot. A flu shot drive-thru clinic, sponsored by KARE11, Hennepin Healthcare and UCare, is taking place the weekend of 9/25-9/27. It's first come, first served but attendees need to bring completed paperwork and their insurance cards. Shots are available to adults and children age 6 months and older. Go to this website to download the required paperwork and learn more.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has instructed schools to follow a Decision Tree map designed for schools in determining if students or staff exclusion status due to COVID contraction or exposure. View the Decision Tree document here. Translated versions can be found in the right margin of this webpage, under COVID-19 resources.

MDH has a webpage devoted to Schools and COVID-19. View the webpage here.

Take the same precautions recommended for avoiding colds and flu:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough.

Link: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html

Practice social distancing by avoiding close contact with others, staying home if you are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting your home.

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html