Rapid COVID-19 testing site opening in Albert Lea Thursday

A new rapid COVID-19 testing site is opening today in Albert Lea.

It is one of three locations announced Wednesday by Governor Tim Walz that will be using a new saliva PCR test.

The rapid COVID-19 test will be offered at the former Shopko at Northbridge Mall from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today (Thursday) and Friday and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The state is also opening a new saliva testing site in Marshall that will also be opening today.  The state also began offering rapid tests at an existing community saliva testing location in Lino Lakes, and the existing saliva site in Minneapolis will begin rapid testing on Friday.

Since October, the state has launched rapid testing at community testing sites in Stillwater, Crookston, Hutchinson, Moorhead, Saint Paul, Brooklyn Park, Duluth, Inver Grove Heights, Wadena and Hibbing. The state’s community testing sites have administered more than 27,000 rapid tests in the last three weeks.