COVID-19 Updates and Vaccine Info

MLHS COVID RESPONSE PLAN

Please visit our COVID-19 vaccine information page to learn more about vaccinations and 3rd dose/boosters.

TESTING

Due to central Minnesota region’s surge in COVID cases, Mille Lacs Health System is not able to do community testing. There are specific times for testing and these are not done on a walk-in basis; you must have an appointment, and these are only done in our Onamia clinic. If you call our COVID Nurse Hotline, 320-532-2989, know that we have been overwhelmed with testing requests, and our priority is to staff, residents, and ill patients in our facility. You will be triaged over the phone and if you meet certain criteria, you will be asked to come into the Onamia campus for a test. Our staff does not have the capacity for tests such as those needed for people without symptoms but with known exposure, entertainment requirements, travel, camps, etc. You can go to this site and find a community testing center closest to you for those types of tests: Minnesota COVID response.

Here is the most updated information on testing recommendations, from the MDH: COVID testing recommendations

 

Closer to home, Mille Lacs County is taking part in a Public Health Covid-19 Testing Pilot Program for the Minnesota Department of Health, due to the limited testing locations in our geographic area. Testing, for people ages two and older, will begin on Monday Oct. 18th and will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Gorecki Building, Milaca Recreation Park, at 435 2nd St NW, Milaca. They will be offering the Vault Saliva Test on-site. Tests are registered to your phone on an App and results will be sent to you within 24-48 hours. If you do not have a phone with internet capabilities, they will have alternative registration options for you at the site. Visit millelacs.mn.gov to learn more.

You can also check this website for information about getting a home saliva test sent to you.  

More information on COVID-19

  • You can read the most updated information on quarantine guidance here: Quarantine Guidance
    If you feel sick, have symptoms, or are caring for someone who is sick, visit this link on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website to learn more.
     
  • You can read the most updated information on what to do if you have had close contact with someone who has Covid here:  COVID close contact
    If you have more questions about exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, click here to learn more: Minnesota Department of Health website.
     
  • Seek medical care right away if your illness is getting worse; for example, if you have difficulty breathing.

 

Click here to see Live updates from the CDC.

Visiting hours

The Visitor Policy, for the Mille Lacs Health System Hospital (Acute Care) and Emergency Room, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, is still in effect:

a. One visitor will be allowed per patient in acute care setting during entire stay.

b. Patient may also have the option to have a chaplain (or other spiritual leader) visit during their stay.

c.  No visitors to ED, isolation patient rooms (including Covid), and patients in double rooms.

The Visitor Policy, for the Mille Lacs Health System Clinic, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, is still in effect:

  1. Limit visitors in waiting room due to need for distancing.
  2. One person in exam room with patient (on a case-by-case basis).
  3. In effect at all MLHS clinics.

 

Long Term Care visitor policy may change often during the Covid-19 pandemic. If you would like to visit, please call ahead of time to inquire: 320-532-2675.

Additional restrictions may apply at any time.