Thursday July 29, 2021 - North Shore Health to Offer COVID-19 Testing for Travel Purposes

(GRAND MARAIS, MN – July 29, 2021) – North Shore Health (NSH) announced that beginning July 29, 2021 they will begin to offering molecular COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people who are traveling to Canada and other Countries who require testing prior to entry.
To read the entire press release,
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Wednesday July 28, 2021 - FAQ for Travel Testing

FAQ:

Will my test meet the requirements for travel? North Shore Health is not able to provide advice on prescreening test requirements and does not provide any guarantee that this test will meet necessary requirements. The COVID-19 lab test performed for travel testing is collected with an NP swab and the test method is: SARS-CoV-2 RNA, iNAAT (isothermal nucleic acid amplification test) with an RdRp gene target. It is your responsibility to check on the testing requirements for your destination.

What if I am symptomatic: This testing is done for travel purposes only. If you are having any symptoms of COVID please contact the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic for outpatient testing or present to North Shore Health to be seen in the Emergency Room.

Will my insurance cover testing? For US Citizens North Shore Health is able to bill your health insurance for the test. If you do not have health insurance speak with a Patient Account Representative for your options. Non-US Citizens will be required to prepay before testing. A receipt will be given and you may work with your travel policy or health insurance for reimbursement. North Shore Health will not bill out of Country plans.

What does the test cost? The cost of the test is $250.

Why do I have to pay when I can get it free elsewhere? This is the only testing option that North Shore Health has available to them at this time.

How do I get my results? North Shore Health will not contact you with your results. You may pick up your results typically within 3 to 4 hours after testing. Results will be at the North Shore Health Registration Desk and a picture ID will be required at pick up to protect your privacy. You may also register for our patient portal. See www.northshorehealthgm.org If you need to have someone else pick up your results let us know at the time of registration. Please do not contact the lab or nursing staff for status of result completion or test results. Our Health Information Department may be contacted at 218-387-3505 if you have any questions.

What if my test is positive? All positive tests are required to be reported to the Minnesota Department of Health so you may be contacted by them. North Shore Health will NOT contact you, nor will your physician be contacted. It is your responsibility to arrange follow up with a provider if your test comes back positive.

Effective 7/29/2021

Monday May 17, 2021 - North Shore Health, Grand Portage Health Service and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Continue Safety Protocols per CDC Guidelines

North Shore Health, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Grand Portage Health Service  recently announced that their facilities will continue mask requirements and entrance point screening. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised the interim public health recommendations to state that fully vaccinated individuals can forego masks and social distancing in many settings. However, healthcare facilities are an exception.

“We understand that the CDC updated its guidance stating that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in many settings and that Governor Walz followed suit with updates to the Minnesota mask mandate," said Kimber Wraalstad, CEO/Administrator of North Shore Health. "However, as a health care organization, and to meet our regulatory requirements, North Shore Health continues to require masks to be worn in our building.”

Community members should also expect to be screened for symptoms and exposure at facility entrances, regardless of vaccination status.

"Healthcare facilities serve the most vulnerable members of our communities, including those not eligible for vaccination," said Kate Surbaugh, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic CEO. “Continuing these required precautions protects us all. Anyone who doesn’t have a mask will be offered one at the door and our friendly staff make screening a breeze.”

Similar protocols remain in place in Grand Portage.

“Although masking is no longer required in the enterprise and program buildings the mandate will remain in place at the Grand Portage Health and Human Services facilities,” said Grand Portage Health Director Jennifer Sorenson.

Wraalstad added, “We all thank our community for their help in protecting our patients, residents, staff, and visitors and we appreciate their continued partnership and patience.”

Local healthcare facilities will continue to monitor CDC guidelines, local positivity rates, vaccination rates, state and federal guidelines in order to maintain safe facilities. The CDC update can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/.../fully-vaccinated-guidance.html