Cook County offering COVID-19 saliva test kits to local residents

Officials from the Cook County Emergency Operations Center will distribute COVID-19 saliva test kits at sites throughout Cook County this week.

Tests are made available at no cost to Cook County residents and local businesses on a first come first served basis. A limited supply of tests is available: one per household or five per business. Tests must be used by Dec. 31.

Cook County Public Health Supervisor Grace Grinager said these events are an attempt to both get a ‘snapshot in time’ of how much of the virus is spreading throughout the community, as well as to increase access to testing.

Tests will be distributed on the following dates and locations:
Tuesday, December 15 in Lutsen
Lockport Marketplace: 2:00pm- 4:00pm
5364 W MN-61 Lutsen

Wednesday, December 16 in Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage

Grand Portage Community Center: 10:00am – 11:00am
73 Upper Road Grand Portage

Cook County Community Center: 12:30pm -1:30pm
317 W 5th St. Grand Marais

Gunflint Trail Fire Halls:
Seagull Lake: 9:00am – 9:30am
Gunflint Lake: 10:30am – 11:00am
Poplar Lake: 11:30am – 12:00am

Information and instructions for completing the test will be provided at each of the testing sites.

Tests can be returned the following day to testing sites in Lutsen and Gunflint Fire Halls. Otherwise, all tests can be returned to the UPS drop-off at Buck’s Hardware in Grand Marais.

“We encourage people who do not have symptoms but would like a test to use these test kits,” Grinager said. “If you test positive with a saliva test, please call public health right away to report your results at (218) 387-3605.”

Joe Friedrichs December 15, 2020