As downtown St. Paul COVID testing site closes, Midway location opens

Frederick Melo, Pioneer Press
·1 min read

The Minnesota Department of Health is closing its COVID testing site at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in downtown St. Paul on Thursday and at the Stillwater Armory on Friday. A new site opens Monday on University Avenue in the St. Paul Midway.

The Department of Health said it is adjusting testing resources to meet both demand and need. The new location will be in the former Herberger’s department store, within the strip mall at 1400 University Ave. West, just off Hamline and University avenues. It will offer rapid antigen testing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Fridays.

State officials said they expect the new site will bring greater consistency because it will not be subject to the occasional closures that took place at the auditorium and armory. The new site, located near the Green Line and other transit options, will be able to conduct up to 5,000 tests per day. Appointments are encouraged but not required.

Minnesotans can also access testing through health care providers and pharmacies, as well as free rapid at-home tests offered by the federal government (CovidTests.gov) and health insurers.

Food banks, public health agencies and community groups may also have free tests available. Residents should check with their health plan before purchasing at-home tests to ensure they are following steps to have costs covered.

Minnesota residents can order two sets of two at-home rapid tests at mn.gov/covid19.

Related Articles