The state of Minnesota is ramping up their efforts to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
A new webpage was unveiled Friday by the state that contains key information for thousands of Minnesotans who may be affected by the COVID-19 virus.
The page is a part of the “Minnesota COVID-19 Response” on the state of Minnesota’s official website. Here, you can find information such as COVID-19 symptoms and how to find your test results.
The page debut Friday is a part of a new partnership with the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota that was introduced earlier in the week by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Minnesota has a relatively low amount of cases of COVID-19 compared to other midwestern states, but lack of testing availability in the state has been criticized. This new webpage is aiming to help that.
Among the biggest improvements in the new webpage is the ability to find a COVID-19 testing location close to your current location. Once a user opens up the “testing locations” page, an interactive map of the state will appear with blue pins marking each testing location. It also provides other information about the testing sites, such as hours and what potential patients should know before they receive a test.
“Get online and say, ‘Oh, down here 3 miles away, or wherever it may be, I can go down and get a test,” Governor Walz said.
The new widespread availability in testing in the partnership will be a significant step forward for the state of Minnesota, which now claims it will be able to test up to 20,000 people per day in the near future. That’s a large increase in what the state is currently doing now.
Another part of the webpage that the state is trying to improve daily is the “submit feedback” subpage. Here, those who have been tested for COVID-19 can give positive feedback or complaints about the testing experience, and various health officials will collect that information to try and improve Minnesota’s overall COVID-19 experience.
While Minnesota is doing quite well in the prevention of spreading COVID-19, this new webpage will make it easier than ever for Minnesotans to find information about the virus and what to do should they feel sick.
As of Sunday, April 26th, the state has over 3,600 positive tests of COVID-19 and 244 deaths. The current “stay at home” order for Minnesota is set to expire on May 4th.