COVID-19 Testing Options

At Home Test Kits

Beginning March 29, Minnesotans are able to order two test kits (for a total of four tests) per home through an online ordering system. Minnesota has secured 500,000 test kits (for a total of 1 million at-home tests) and the program will be available until all the test kits are ordered. Minnesota will use this program as a model for providing more access to COVID-19 rapid testing in the months ahead.

Minnesotans will be able to visit mn.gov/covid19 to request two test kits, or four total tests, per household. Tests were made available starting on Tuesday, March 29, and will be available until supply has been exhausted. If this program proves successful and valuable for Minnesotans, the State will count on it as a key part of the response to future case surges.

The State of Minnesota’s at-home PCR testing program through Vault Health ended on March 31. Minnesotans who have Vault PCR tests at home will be able to use them until they expire, or until December 31, 2022, whichever is first.

How To Get a Test

Minnesotans have other options to access COVID-19 testing:

Through the federal government, Minnesotans can order free rapid at-home tests at CovidTests.gov. Food banks, local public health agencies, community groups, and other community health organizations may also have free tests available.
Costs for over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests are now required to be covered by health plans offered by insurance companies, employers, and groups under actions taken by the Biden Administration. In some circumstances, Minnesotans can receive free tests by showing their insurance card at a store. Minnesotans should check with their health plan prior to purchasing at-home tests to ensure they are following the steps necessary to have costs covered.
Anyone can walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free COVID-19 Community Testing sites or find a testing option near them through the state’s Find Testing Locations map.

On-Campus COVID-19 Exposure Testing

Student Health Services Medical Clinic provides a variety of health care services, including COVID-19 exposure testing options for students, faculty, and staff.

Exposure Testing Options

Mankato Covid-19 Testing

For questions related to the coronavirus pandemic or access to COVID-19 testing, students may contact:

Student Health Services
(507) 389-5591
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Public Hotline
(833) 431-2053
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Employees may contact their medical provider for access to COVID-19 Testing.

In the Mankato area, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Testing Site Location is:

Mankato Armory
- Location:
  100 Martin Luther King Dr
  Mankato, MN 56001
- Hours of Operation:
  Monday - Thursday
  11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Register for an Appointment (Mankato Armory)

If you are in a location other than Mankato, the best way to find a testing site is to utilize the MN Find Testing Locations website.

Learn more at  COVID-19 Testing.

If you Have Contact with Covid-19

If you are vaccinated (student or employee)

Fully-vaccinated means you have completed ALL recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine when eligible, including a booster or additional doses. Refer to CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines.

If you have close contact* with someone with COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated there is no requirement to quarantine if you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, however, you should get tested five days after exposure.

If test results are positive, follow recommendations on If You Are Sick or Test Positive.
You should also follow Recommendations for Wearing Masks, in which you should wear a mask in public, indoor settings for 10 days following exposure or until your test result is negative.
Watch yourself for symptoms for 10 days. If you start to feel sick, get tested right away and follow the recommendations on  If You Are Sick.  Stay home / work from home if you are sick.
Wash your hands often.
Clean surfaces you touch.

If You Test Positive to Covid-19

If You are Not Vaccinated: (Student or Employee)

Not fully vaccinated: Either you have not been vaccinated, it has not yet been 14 days (two weeks) since your last dose in your COVID-19 vaccine series, or you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Refer to CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines.

If you have close contact* with someone with COVID-19, and you are not fully vaccinated stay home and away from others, contact a medical provider and get tested on day five, if possible.

If test results are positive, follow recommendations on Information for Confirmed Cases and Contacts.
If test results are negative, finish your full five days of quarantine.
Stay at home for at least five full days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19. Refer to the special categories below, which have more specific information about how long you must quarantine.
- Count your last day of close contact with someone with COVID-19 as day zero.
- Day one starts the day after your last close contact.
If possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home.
- Use a separate bathroom if you can.
- Avoid sharing personal household items (e.g., food, dishes, towels, or bedding).
Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing (such as Uber or Lyft), or taxis.
Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days and follow Recommendations for Wearing Masks.
Wash your hands often.
Clean surfaces you touch.
On days 6 through 10:
- Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk of severe disease and the settings where you may find these people.
- Avoid travel. If you must travel, wear a well-fitting mask.
- Avoid places where you need to remove your mask (e.g., gyms, restaurants).
- Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others.