COVID-19 rapid testing site opens in Hibbing

On Tuesday, three new rapid testing sites opened in Minnesota, including one in Hibbing. Governor Tim Walz announced the expansion of the state’s community testing network. The new sites, which also include Inver Grove Heights and Wadena, will be supported by the Minnesota National Guard. A new saliva testing site will also open in Bemidji on Thursday, October 28.

“Minnesotans continue to navigate daycare, school, and work all alongside the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Free and fast testing options help families keep their lives on track,” Governor Walz said in a press release. “That’s why we continue to expand testing opportunities in the metro and Greater Minnesota to meet Minnesotans where they are. We are taking action to make sure all Minnesotans have access to testing options at our free community testing network.”

The Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General, Army Major General Shawn Manke said the Minnesota National Guard is committed to support Minnesota citizens.

According to the press release, the Minnesota National Guard will be broken into seven teams to assist civil authorities at various sites across the state.

"We have supported public health activities since March 2020 with varying levels of personnel and activities and are prepared to do so, again," he said in the release.

The state also began offering rapid tests at existing community testing locations in Duluth, Moorhead, Saint Paul, Brooklyn Park last week, and launched new COVID-19 community rapid testing sites in Stillwater, Crookston, and Hutchinson.

Testing is free at all of the state’s community testing sites. People with health insurance will be asked for their insurance information so the state can bill the insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or if insurance does not cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference, ensuring testing remains open to all at no cost.

The new rapid testing site in Hibbing will be at the Hibbing Armory at 2310 Brooklyn Drive. The site will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. The saliva testing site in Bemidji will be held Monday – Friday at the Bemidji Armory at 1430 23rd St. NW from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.