COVID-19 Information

End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11.

The Minnesota Department of Health is in a better place now to manage COVID-19 because of the availability of things like testing, treatments, and especially vaccines. These tools help us lessen some of the severe impacts from this disease.

For more information:

End of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Declaration | CDC

What the end of the federal public health emergency means for Minnesotans

  • COVID-19 tests are no longer required to be covered by private insurance without cost sharing, so people may have to start paying some out-of-pocket costs. Insurance plans are also no longer required to cover eight at-home COVID-19 tests per person, per month.

NOTE: Mille Lacs County will continue to provide free COVID-19 at-home-test kits at the Community and Veterans Services for as long as supplies last.

  • Exposure notifications that you may have received on your smartphone will end as funding is stopping at the national level.
  • COVID-19 vaccines and medications (e.g., Paxlovid) are still free for everyone.
    • At some point, vaccines and COVID-19 medications will have to be purchased by health care providers rather than being provided by the federal government – this is also referred to as “commercialization.” When this happens, costs associated with getting a COVID-19 vaccine or medication will likely be similar to what people will experience for non-COVID-19 vaccines or medications now.
  • The state’s COVID-19 telehealth program will remain free for people to access COVID-19 medications
  • The Emergency Use Authorizations from the FDA for COVID-19 vaccine products, including tests, vaccines, and treatments, will remain in effect.

COVID-19 can continue to spread in communities.

Like with other respiratory diseases, when people gather, there can be a chance that disease could spread. That is why it is still important for people to take steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • If you feel sick – stay home and away from others as much as possible.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you test positive, follow recommendations for what to do If You Are Sick.
  • If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow recommendations for what to do if you were a close contact or have exposure to COVID-19.
  • Get vaccinated. Make sure you’re up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.
  • If you are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19, talk to your health care provider about any other precautions you should take, and seek out COVID-19 medications right away if you test positive/have symptoms.

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations: 

Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC

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