Resource
Telehealth Test-to-Treat program
COVID-19 medications help reduce the risk of serious illness or hospitalization for Minnesotans who test positive for COVID-19. People in Minnesota can get easy access to COVID-19 medications through a telehealth test-to-treat program.
After testing positive with any at-home or lab PCR or antigen COVID-19 test, people can use a website, mobile app or phone call to get started and be connected with a licensed clinician who will evaluate them to determine if treatment is a good option.
- If they are a good candidate for COVID-19 medications, the clinician can issue that prescription to the patient’s local pharmacy.
- Prescription medications can be delivered to a home or shelter address.
- The consult, medication, and delivery are free.
This test-to-treat program will ensure that those who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick because of older age or underlying health conditions have easy access to clinician care and treatments.
Learn more about Minnesota's telehealth test-to-treat program on the Telehealth web page. Get instructions on using the telehealth program on the Cue Health website.
Using This Resource
- Do you have clients with underlying health conditions or elders who could benefit from the telehealth test-to-treat program? Let them know about the telehealth program.
- Have staff and volunteers walk through the process of accessing the test to treat telehealth program. Ask them to help clients download the telehealth app or call to get more information so they are ready to use the telehealth program if they test positive for COVID-19.
- Post a one-page PDF factsheet on Getting COVID-19 Treatment through Telehealth Program in a public area at your shelter. Raising people's awareness of this resource can help make it easier for more clients, staff, and volunteers to access treatment when they need it.
 Navigator Service for Shelters
Remember, if you have a shelter guest who tests positive for COVID-19 and may benefit from medications, you can request the assistance of a therapeutics navigator to help the patient access medication. Even people with mild symptoms may be eligible for treatment if they are at higher risk of severe illness.
The therapeutics navigator can support the following activities:
- Identify a healthcare provider to conduct a medical assessment and prescribe COVID-19 therapeutics,
- Schedule appointments including telehealth visits where available,
- Arrange transportation for medical visits and prescription pick-up or delivery.
To request the support of a therapeutics navigator, complete this navigator request form.
COVID-19 Tests
MDH offers COVID-19 testing resources at no cost to shelters. Explore COVID-19 Testing and Case Reporting Resources for Shelters to review available options and order tests.
Here are other ways Minnesotans can order their COVID-19 tests:
- Find a nearby testing option through the state’s Find Testing Locations map.
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Order free at-home rapid tests through the state’s COVID-19 at-home rapid testing program or through USPS at COVID.gov/tests.
- Check with your insurance company about ways to get free rapid tests from pharmacies.
- Contact your health care provider or a local pharmacy.
Image from the Center for Indigenous Health
Download this poster from the Center for Indigenous Health at John Hopkins University and post it in a high traffic area to remind people they should get tested if they have symptoms.
Stay Up to Date on COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccine remains one of the best ways to avoid severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 but data suggest that protection against COVID-19 infection becomes less over time. This is why it's important to stay up to date on vaccines and get a booster when you're eligible.
To help clients find vaccine locations nearby, watch this new video on how to use the Find a COVID-19 Vaccine tool then click the green button below to find a vaccine.
Remember that your shelter can also request a vaccination event through MDH by submitting the COVID-19 Vaccination Request Form for Congregate Settings.
The updated (bivalent) boosters also help protect against newer versions (variants) of the COVID-19 virus that are currently spreading. For more information on the bivalent booster to share with clients, visit Why You Should Get an Updated (Bivalent) Booster (PDF).
COVID-19 Community Coordinators
To serve Minnesotans in ways that meet diverse community needs, MDH has contracted with community-based organizations to serve those hit hardest by COVID-19, including communities of color, American Indian communities, LGBTQ communities and Minnesotans with disabilities.
These COVID-19 Community Coordinators (CCC) can answer questions about topics such as COVID-19 testing and vaccination, food support, health care and mental health resources, housing and rental assistance, and employment resources.
Your shelter can partner with a Community COVID Coordinator to access these resources at no cost.
COVID-19 Community Coordinators draw on community strengths and trusted community networks to support Minnesotans who need COVID-19 information specific to their communities, including in their native languages.
To learn more and find a community partner, visit COVID-19 Community Coordinators or email Anne Parks.
Created by staff at American Indian Community Housing Organization, a CCC located in Duluth, MN
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