The Minnesota Department of Health is partnering with local public health officials to give people a chance to get a COVID-19 test if they would like to get tested. Over the next several weeks there will be testing opportunities in multiple communities around the state, including in Fairmont from October 6 to October 8. Testing is free, available to anyone who feels they need to be tested whether they have symptoms or not, and will not require insurance.
“Testing uncovers positive cases earlier,” said Chera Sevcik, Executive Director, Community Health and Human Services of Faribault & Martin Counties. “The test results will provide important data about the degree of spread in our area and help to guide efforts to combat COVID-19 and protect those who are most vulnerable to serious complications.”
“Testing plays a key role in our efforts to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 virus by helping people find out if they’ve contracted the virus so they can take steps to isolate themselves and protect those they are close to who might be vulnerable to serious complications,” Fairmont Mayor Debbie Foster said. “I encourage folks to come out and get a test next week.”
Many who contract COVID-19 may experience mild or even no symptoms, but some suffer life-threatening complications. All who contract the virus are contagious. Getting tested helps people know they if have contracted COVID-19 so they are informed and can protect those they are close to who might be most vulnerable to serious complications. This is a proven strategy for fighting spread of a virus like COVID-19.
Here are the details of the testing in Fairmont:
Tuesday, October 6, Wednesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 8
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Fairmont Armory
700 N. Fairlakes Ave
Fairmont, MN 56031
NOTE: For those coming from out of town, to avoid road construction in Fairmont, please utilize the County Road 39 exit off of I-90. Take County Road 39 South to Lake Avenue. Head East on Lake Avenue to the Armory.
To avoid long lines, community members are encouraged to pre-register for a time slot. Visit https://www.primarybio.com/r/fairmont for more information and to sign up for an appointment.
Those who are unable to sign up online or need interpretation can call 1-855-612-0677 for assistance.
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. Positive cases staying hidden leads to more spread and more detrimental impact to our schools and economy.
Switching from one model to another is a complicated calculation that can be very disruptive and requires significant planning. School districts have to balance the important benefits of in person learning to the mental and emotional health of their students with the very real risk of COVID spread in a school environment.
Now that school has opened, broad community level data alone does not directly determine a potential change to the learning model. Instead, cases within the school community and what is happening in the schools themselves are the most important considerations. Any decision to change the model is made by the school district in consultation with a local support team, including local public health, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota Department of Education.