COVID-19 saliva testing coming to Minnesota Public Schools

The free saliva testing at home is only available for education staff and childcare workers, students will not be able to get tested.

Night and into early sunday new for you on daybreak.

Teachers in minnesota can get a covid?

"*19 saliva test for free this fall.

The minnesota department of health has 250 thousand saliva tests available for education and child care workers if they're showing symptoms or want to have a test available on hand in the future.

Kimt news 3's madelyne watkins joins us live this morning to break down exactly how this testing will work.

Brooke and tyler.

If a teacher is feeling a little under the weather and think they need to be tested for covid?

"*19... thy can now do it from the comfort of their own home while talking to a health care provider through the computer.

The free tests are limited to one per person and are covered through insurance and federal funding.

So what happens is the person taking the test will receive a unique code from the school district to order a test.

It'll come through mail, you spit into a tube while video chatting with a health care worker then mail it back.

I spoke with the superintenden t of chatfield public schools, edward harris.

He says this will allow education staff to take extra safety precautions while feeling comfortable doing so.

You know, the challenges we have with covid?

"*19 and operating school districts are deep.

I think they felt that maybe one more tool in the tool box to kind of help mitigate and suppress the spread of the virus."

This free saliva testing at home is only available for education staff and child care workers... students will not be able to get tested.

The unique codes that come along with it will expire december 30th... so make sure you order one before then.

Live in rochester.

Madelyne watkins kimt thank you madelyne.

The saliva test is also available to the general public through this same lab... however, payment