FAIRMONT– The state of Minnesota, like much else of the country, has seen a rise in Covid-19 cases in the past few weeks. Locally, case numbers have also risen. Community Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin County has been working to not only test individuals for the virus, but collect data for the county.

Public Health is offering additional appointment times for free, rapid testing in both Blue Earth and Fairmont over the next few weeks. A drive-up method for testing is also available, making it quick and convenient.

The hope is that this will help alleviate the high demand on local health care providers who are also dealing with the surge in cases, brought fourth from the Omicron variant.

While they had been testing Mondays and Wednesdays, Public Health Sanitarian Tim Langer said they’ve added additional days and times for testing. For the first time, testing appointments filled completely on Tuesday.

Recent data released for Martin County showed the total number of weekly cases for the week of Jan. 2 to Jan. 8 was 161. On Tuesday of this week 106 cases for the week of Jan. 9 to Jan. 15 was reported, but that number is anticipated to go up.

“We have widespread community transmission of this new variant throughout the county. The confirmed cases we’re seeing are just a fraction of the total cases and that’s due to the availability of at home testing,” Langer said.

At home testing will likely become more common as the Biden Administration recently bought one billion tests to give to Americans for free and online ordering for the tests opened up on Tuesday of this week.

Langer said home testing is good as it provides information on whether isolation is needed and it allows people to contact individuals they have come in contact with.

“It’s useful information and we’re thankful people are testing and taking appropriate action. It’s just not officially collected,” Langer said.

Because of that, he said they truly don’t know the number of cases, but locally the test positivity rate was close to 30 percent.

“That tells you nearly one in three people who gets tested is positive,” Langer said.

He said that’s the highest it’s been in the county since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago.

As for what to do once you get tested, Public Health follows the guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health, which follows what the Centers for Disease and Control advises. Langer acknowledged the guidelines have been changing.

“They recently reduced the isolation period. That was in an effort to keep businesses running. There are businesses that aren’t staffed due to the fact that there has been so many cases. They’re using a science-based approach on when people can go back,” Langer explained.

He said the bottom line is prevention is still the best option. He encourages people to get vaccinated, get the booster, wear a high quality mask and get tested before gathering in groups.

People can sign up to both to get tested and to get vaccinated on the website, fmchs.com.

“It’s simple and easy. We recommend people take advantage of that,” Langer said.

Making appointment is recommended to control the flow of people coming in. If someone doesn’t have the availability to use a computer, they can call the office at 507-238-4754 to make an appointment as well.