This past Wednesday kicked off the first day of FREE COVID-19 testing at the DECC by taking saliva samples. The lab estimated they had tested around 500 people with lines seen around the block.

There are 20 stations set up inside the clinic at  Paulucci Hall and the test process takes about 10 minutes. Being someone who had to have the nasal swab test or as I like to refer to it as the "brain poker test" I would highly recommend taking advantage of this test, it is free and it is a saliva test instead. Jason Feldman, the co-founder and CEO of Vault Health, said the saliva test has a 99 percent effective rate.

Anne O' Connor, who is overseeing the state's COVID-19 Community Testing Response said to WDIO "To see so many people wanting to be here shows that there was a need in the Duluth area for free COVID-19 testing and we're really happy to play a part in that and to provide a solution to that issue."

I know many people who are not insured and were worried that they might get sick and how would they be able to get tested? Since some people could be carrying the virus and show no symptoms it is recommended that everyone get tested to know for sure. Thankfully the testing site will be at the DECC until the end of the year and operating five days a week, there's plans to expand testing with nine more sites across the state.

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Testing will be available Wednesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You are asked to not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum 30 minutes prior to being tested. Due to the high volume of people wanting to be tested it is highly recommended you register ahead of time so people aren't waiting as long in line. Click here to register.

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