There are plenty of reasons for coughing, sneezing, and sniffling right about now, what with wildfire smoke, seasonal allergies and plenty of dust in the air. Then there’s the Delta variant of COVID and news of breakthrough infections, even among those who have been fully vaccinated – a particular worry for Care Partners volunteers who serve older adults. Here’s something to note: there is a new, no-cost option for getting tested for COVID in the privacy of your own home. Minnesota and Vault Medical Services have teamed up to offer at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for everyone who lives in Minnesota, with or without symptoms, at no cost.
People can receive up to two COVID-19 test kits at the same time and there is no limit to the number of at-home kits they can order over time. This saliva test is just as accurate as the nasal swab test. You will be asked for your insurance information, but if the test is not completely covered by your insurance, the state will pay for it.