The State of Minnesota is currently operating a COVID-19 PCR saliva testing site at the St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center located at 10 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud. The St. Cloud location is open every Wednesday through Sunday (five days a week) through May 30, 2021. There is no testing at the Convention Center on Mondays or Tuesdays. If you need testing on a Monday or Tuesday, please refer to the Minnesota Department of Health website for other testing locations and/or options.
Testing Times:
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday - 10 am to 4 pm
- Monday or Tuesday - NO TESTING available at River's Edge
Appointment Recommended:
It is strongly recommended that you sign up for an appointment using the link provided below. Walk-ins will be accepted but signing up ahead of time helps you avoid long lines and prevents crowding at the test site. When registering for an appointment on the Minnesota Department of Health's website, be sure to scroll down the list of testing sites until you see "St. Cloud" and click on the "St. Cloud" link to begin the appointment process.
Requirements:
Testing is free to any Minnesotan who feels they need a COVID-19 test, symptoms or no symptoms. Testing is free and does not require an ID nor insurance. Participants who have insurance will be asked for their health insurance card so the State of Minnesota can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a participant is uninsured or for any reason insurance doesn't cover some or all of the cost, the State will cover the difference so testing remains completely free to everyone. Participants will not receive a bill.
Participants will need to supply a valid email address and phone number to receive test results. Site officials will also be requesting your address but it will be used only for contact tracing.
This is a "walk-in test". You will need to enter the River's Edge Convention Center to conduct the saliva test. No tests are performed in your car. A face covering is required inside the building.
How Testing Works:
The saliva test is a PCR test, just like the traditional nasal swab, with the same effectiveness rate, however, it is more comfortable to take. Participants should not eat, drink, chew or smoke anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once arriving at River's Edge, participants will self-administer the test by spitting into a funnel attached to a small tube. Once this is completed, the funnel is removed and the tube is closed with a plug. The plug releases a preservative which keeps the sample viable for up to two weeks without needing refrigeration. Clinical staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process and ensure there is enough saliva for testing. Saliva testing may not be right for those with low saliva production, such as children under the age of 4 or someone who has suffered a stroke.
Tests are processed at Vault Health in Oakdale, Minnesota. Results are available within 24 to 72 hours.
Questions on testing, problems registering for an appointment or need to cancel an appointment, please contact Vault Health at 1-800-800-5698 (answered 24 hours).
To register for an appointment with Vault Health, click here.
