Free COVID-19 testing in Mankato Wednesday & Thursday

@ap.news Medical student Kimberly Olivares, left, takes a sample from a patient at a free COVID-19 testing site provided by United Memorial Medical Center, Sunday, June 28, 2020, at the Mexican Consulate, in Houston. Confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Texas continue to surge. On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shut down bars again and scaled back restaurant dining as cases climbed to record levels after the state embarked on one of America’s fastest reopenings. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

(St. Paul, MN) – Free COVID-19 testing will be offered in Mankato for the next two days as cases in the region trend upward.

Testing will be on Wednesday, September 2, and Thursday, September 3 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Myers Field House at 190 Stadium Rd.

The Minnesota Department of Health says Mankato and the surrounding communities are a COVID hotspot, and that case numbers are trending upward. That data, combined with students returning to campus makes testing especially important, says MDH.

Following testing next week, MDH will work with local officials, county public health, and school districts to analyze the results and determine the next steps and mitigation strategies, according to a press release.

MDH recommends all people with symptoms and contacts of confirmed cases be tested. Neither insurance nor identification is required, but people are encouraged to pre-register for a time slot. Parking will be free in Lot 7 on the university campus.