ST. CLOUD — Due to an increase in available testing, CentraCare and Carris Health are again offering curbside collection — by appointment only — for COVID-19 testing, according to a CentraCare news release.
Curbside collection allows community members with symptoms to be screened while remaining in their car and limiting exposure to other individuals.
When a patient arrives at the curbside collection site, a specimen will be collected via nasal or oral swab. After collection, the sample will be tested for coronavirus and the patient will be contacted with test results.
Appointments are required and must be scheduled through the Carris Health - Willmar Nurse Line at 320-441-5361 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the CentraCare Connect by calling 320-200-3200 or through a CentraCare eClinic visit. Both CentraCare services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All patients will be screened to determine if they are a candidate for COVID-19 testing.
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High-risk groups defined by the Minnesota Department of Health will remain a priority for testing.
Testing is not available to those without symptoms of respiratory illness.
Once it is determined that someone meets the criteria for testing, the patient will be directed to the most convenient curbside collection location.
Locations for curbside collection in the Willmar region include:
- CentraCare – Paynesville
- Carris Health – Redwood Falls Clinic
- Carris Health – Willmar Main Clinic
The Minnesota Department of Health has created a web page to assist Minnesotans in finding a testing location. You can find it here: https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/testing-locations/ .
