The COVID-19 testing station in Duluth has had to amp up the amount of free Covid-19 tests it conducts each day, going from 500 to 1,000 per day. Starting today the DECC testing site will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Starting Oct. 11, the testing site will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and will continue those hours of operation indefinitely.

The DECC testing site is located in Paulucci Hall, at 350 Harbor Drive in Duluth. The DECC has also expanded the square footage used for testing to 10,000 square feet. In case you are wondering The DECC uses saliva PCR tests, and most results are sent to you via email in about 24 hours. This type of test is less invasive and it is nice to know that the turnaround for results is pretty quick.

Get our free mobile app

This test is free to all Minnesota residents regardless of insurance. Appointments can be made at mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php, but walk-ins are also accepted. For more on the DECC testing site click here.

Here are some pretty sobering statistics about COVID-19 and St. Louis County from covidactnow.org.

The population of St. Louis County is 200,000 people and as of yesterday the Risk Level is Very High with 49.9 new cases daily per 100,000 people. With only 63.1% having gotten 1+ DOSE. Hospitalizations for the County are considered High with 78% of ICU Beds filled.

Whatever your vaccination status it is, of course, your own business, but we can all do our part to wear masks and socially distance as much as possible. Nobody wants everything to be shut down again or for more people to get sick and pass away from this awful disease. If you think you may have been exposed do the right thing and get tested so you know your status for sure.

7 Pickup Lines You'd Hear At A Bar During A Pandemic

8 Tips To Manage Kid's Screen Time During COVID-19

More From 106.5 The FAN