Online ordering program available Tuesday for COVID-19 tests

Anyone wanting to order free, rapid COVID-19 tests will be able to do so starting Tuesday in Minnesota.

Monday morning, Gov. Tim Walz announced a new program that allows those tests to be delivered to homes throughout the state.

According to the governor’s office, Minnesotans will be able to order two test kits – or four tests per home – through the system until all test kits have been ordered.

As of Monday morning, the state has 500,000 test kits – which equals one million at-home tests.

The kits can be ordered by CLICKING HERE.

The Centers for Disease Control says you should test for COVID-19 if you:

• Have symptoms of the coronavirus
• Have had close contact with someone who tested positive
• Are returning from domestic or international travel
• Attended a high-risk event
• Work in a setting which has regular, close contact with many people

Free tests may also be available at the following locations:

• Food banks
• Local public health agencies
• Community groups
• Community health organizations

Over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test costs are required to be covered by health plans offered by insurance companies, employers as well as groups which are covered by actions taken by President Joe Biden.

As of Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health reported seven new deaths attributed to COVID-19, as well as 217 current hospitalizations.