From North Shore Health - August 30, 2021  

North Shore Health (NSH) announced that beginning September 1, 2021 they will no longer provide same day COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people who are traveling to Canada and other Countries who require testing prior to entry.

Due to increasing volume of COVID-19 clinical testing and increasing difficulty in obtaining testing supplies, COVID-19 travel testing will be sent to a reference lab.  The test performed by the reference lab is a SARS-CoV-2 RNA, RT-PCR.  As a result, it is anticipated results will typically be available 36 to 48 hours after specimen collection, however this is not guaranteed.  Testing will continue to be offered Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, on a first come first serve basis.  Prior appointments are not taken.  Also beginning on September 1, the registration time will be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for testing at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. subject to availability.   Registration will occur in the lobby of North Shore Health, the entrance facing 5th street/County Road 7.  Testing will be limited to approximately 10 people per day.

Details regarding the collection process will be provided after registration.

During registration, individuals will be provided with assistance to sign up on the NSH patient portal.  When results are received, they are immediately available on the portal.  Under no circumstances will results be provided over the phone.  

Jennifer Backstrom, Administrative Laboratory Director commented “NSH will continue to monitor availability of testing supplies and the demand of clinical testing to determine if changes to COVID-19 travel testing can be made.”    

No changes are being made for symptomatic COVID-19 testing or testing for contact tracing.  Individuals with symptoms are encouraged to call Sawtooth Mountain Clinic at 218-387-2330 to be scheduled for testing as appropriate.