Rapid COVID Testing to Begin Oct. 22 at Brooklyn Park Community Site

Governor Tim Walz announced Wednesday an expansion of COVID-19 testing that will impact Brooklyn Park and surrounding suburbs.

The testing site at Starlite Center, 8085 Brooklyn Boulevard, currently does PCR saliva testing. Starting Friday, it will also offer rapid tests, also known as antigen tests.

Rapid tests are done with a nasal swab and produce results more quickly than other tests. For people who have COVID-19 with symptoms, rapid or antigen tests are around 80 to 90 percent accurate. PCR tests are considered the most accurate for detecting an active COVID-19 infection.

Testing is recommended for anyone showing symptoms of a coronavirus infection. It’s also recommended weekly for unvaccinated youth who participate in close-contact indoor sports, such as basketball, wrestling and volleyball. 

Testing at community sites is free, but participants with insurance are asked for that information to help the state recoup the costs.

Brooklyn Park is one of several northwest suburbs that have seen higher case rates compared to Hennepin County overall.

Starlite Center in Brooklyn Park, where community COVID-19 testing takes place.

Also see: MDH Adds Two Local Elementary Schools to List Reporting 5+ COVID Cases

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