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COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Tests
Beginning September 25, households will again be able to order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov. These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. People are encouraged to use the free tests immediately as Americans prepare for travel and gatherings with friends and family throughout the 2023 holiday season.
Free tests are also available in the lobby of the Community & Veteran Services Building, while supplies last.
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
Contact Us Re: COVID-19 Questions
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Community & Veterans Services
Physical Address
525 2nd Street SE
Milaca, MN 56353
Phone: 320-983-8208Fax: 320-983-8306
MDH COVID-19 public hotline new hours
New hotline hours start Jan. 2, 2023:
Mon/Wed/Fri: 9 am - 5 pm
Tues/Thurs: 9 am - 7 pm
Sat/Sun: closed
For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call: 1-833-431-2053
Mille Lacs County Testing Options
Please call for testing availability or appointments:
200 Elm St North
Onamia, MN 56359
(320) 532-2697
M Health Fairview Norland Medical Center
911 Norland Dr.
Princeton, MN 55371
(763) 389-1313
Other Locations:
19425 Evans St NW
Elk River, MN 55330
(763) 441-1400
Allina Health-Cambridge Medical Center
701 S Dellwood St
Cambridge, MN 55008
(763) 689-7700
710 Frankie Ln
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-4003
301 Highway 65 S
Mora, MN 55051
(320) 679-1313
200 Bunker Hill Drive
Aitkin, MN 56431
(218) 670-5078
Mille Lacs County Vaccination options
Please call for vaccine availability or appointments:
127 2nd Ave SW
Milaca, MN 56353
(320) 982-3300
100 7th Ave S
Princeton, MN 55371
(763) 389-8421
300 21st Ave N
Princeton, MN 55371
(763) 389-7821
200 Elm St North
Onamia, MN 56359
(320) 532-2697
Mille Lacs County Community Health Services
525 2nd St. SE
Milaca, MN 56353
(320) 983-8208