Testing remains an important strategy in the fight against COVID-19. Anyone who has symptoms should isolate and be tested right away. Those who have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine following Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines, and be tested 5-7 days later.

• Find Testing Locations (MDH)
• Getting Tested for COVID-19 (MDH)
• Ramsey County Public Health - Community Testing Locations

As of February 2023, St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health will no longer host weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the SPPS Administration Building. SPPS may host vaccine clinics at schools or other district buildings in the future based on community need. COVID-19 vaccine resources can be found at spps.org/covidvaccine.

Do you have questions about whether you qualify for a vaccine? What to expect with your COVID shot? The list below is a set of links to MDH and CDC information that covers everything from what you need to bring to the vaccine clinic to why teens should now be vaccinated. 

• Frequently Asked Questions About Vaccines (MDH)
• CDC Frequently Asked Questions
• What to Expect After Receiving Your Vaccine

Minnesota Department of Health has added a new webpage that helps parents learn about the vaccinations now available to children and teens, and connect with locations/clinics offering the vaccine. Use the link below to learn more and find a vaccination location for your child:

• Link: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens

See what some of our local pediatricians want parents to know about getting their children vaccinated.

Easily access your immunization record and keep track of immunizations you'll need in the future through The Docket. Minnesota's immunization information system, MIIC, combines immunizations into a single record. The Docket is a secure mobile app that utilizes MIIC information, allowing you to access your shot record, including COVID-19 vaccinations. The app provides a PDF document of the immunization record that can be saved to your mobile device, printed, emailed or texted as needed. 

COVID Community Coordinators are available to support Minnesotans who need COVID information specific to their communities, including in their languages. These community-based organizations serve those communities hit hardest by the pandemic, providing guidance on COVID vaccinations, testing and other resources.

The COVID Cares Stress Phone Support Service is available to any Minnesotan experiencing COVID-related stress. Call 833-HERE4MN (833-437-3466) for free telephone support from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. The service is a collaboration with volunteers from the Minnesota Psychiatric Society, the Minnesota Psychological Association, the Minnesota Black Psychologists, and Mental Health Minnesota.

• Find more resources on the MDH Mental Health Support webpage

Ramsey County and other local organizations have resources available to support mental health, childcare, food and other needs that have been growing due to the pandemic. A few of these resources include:

• Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative: Resources for schools to help support children’s mental health.
• Minnesota Black Community COVID-19 Hotline: Support for Minnesota’s African American community, 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Call 612-254-1145 for important information about COVID testing sites and resources that support food security, physical and mental health, employment, housing, childcare, legal rights, and other COVID-19-related challenges.
• HACER (Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research): COVID-19 hotline providing information in English and Spanish about testing, self-isolating, and other resources. The hotline is 651-304-6145 and is answered weekdays from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative has put together a Youth Mental Health Emergency Crisis Guide that outlines a step-by-step response for schools and health care providers.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has instructed schools to follow a Decision Tree map designed for schools to determine student or staff exclusion status due to COVID contraction or exposure. View SPPS's 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. It also has a COVID webpage for Spanish speakers, as well as webpages in Hmong and Somali.

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

MDH has also put out a video that explains in a very visual way, how the virus spreads. View the YouTube video here.

-Updated 11/22/22