The Minnesota Department of Health is hosting a sixth week of free, no-barrier COVID-19 testing. 

There will be five locations the week of Oct. 26 where people can get a test for free – no insurance is required and you don't need to have symptoms. These locations will be in Tyler, Madison, Waconia, Little Falls and Red Wing (more details on where to go and how to sign up below).

The state began offering free testing following increased levels of community spread statewide.

“Minnesota’s acceleration in cases and community spread is alarming,” Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said in a statement. “Now more than ever we need every Minnesotan to make the effort to keep every other Minnesotan safe. 

"The solutions are low cost, low tech, and require no special skills. Keep six feet apart, wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick – and get a test if you need it," Malcolm said. 

On Thursday, Oct. 22, the health department reported 1,574 new cases and 20 more deaths from the virus, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed cases in Minnesota to 128,152 and the total number of deaths to 2,301.

MDH is partnering with local public health officials to offer free testing, which will be done using a nasal swab and processed by the Mayo Clinic Laboratories or the University of Minnesota. 

State health officials use testing data to identify communities that are experiencing workplace clusters, are close to bordering states or have not yet had larger-scale testing offered. The hope is that more testing will increase the geographic balance of testing across the state and lead to a better response where the risk is greatest. 

Testing locations

Below are the no-barrier testing locations for the week of Oct. 26. People are encouraged to pre-register for a timeslot. 

Tyler

• Tuesday, Oct. 27
• Noon to 6 p.m.
• The Rock Christian Youth Center, 148 N Tyler St.
• Schedule an appointment here

Madison

• Thursday, Oct. 29
• Noon to 6 p.m.
• Armory, 504 3rd St.
• Schedule an appointment here

Waconia

• Tuesday, Oct. 27; Wednesday, Oct. 28; Thursday, Oct. 29
• Noon to 6 p.m.
• Lake Waconia Event Center, 8155 Paradise Lane
• Schedule an appointment here

Little Falls

• Tuesday, Oct. 27; Wednesday, Oct. 28; Thursday, Oct. 29
• Noon to 6 p.m.
• Bethel Lutheran Church, 901 Broadway W
• Schedule an appointment here

Red Wing

• Tuesday, Oct. 27; Wednesday, Oct. 28; Thursday, Oct. 29
• Noon to 6 p.m.
• Colvill Courtyard Building (Colvill Park), 515 Nymphara Lane
• Schedule appointment here

If you have trouble signing up online or need interpretation, call 1-855-612-0677. MDH's COVID-19 Community Testing website is here. 

Other testing options

The community testing sites above are among several efforts from the state to get more people tested for free. 

The state recently opened five saliva testing sites in Duluth, Winona, Mankato, Moorhead and Brooklyn Park. These tests are free but you will be asked for insurance information – if your insurance doesn't cover it or you don't have insurance, the state will pay for it. 

MDH has also launched an at-home saliva testing option for people living in certain areas who haven't had as much access to testing. As with the saliva testing centers, the state will pay for the cost of the test if you don't have insurance or if your insurance won't cover the test. 

MDH's COVID-19 testing website, which has more information on these tests and other testing locations in the state, is here.