What You Need to Know About COVID-19

What should I do if I have COVID symptoms, and when should I get tested?

If you have a known COVID exposure and are experiencing minor symptoms, please stay home. You don’t need to see a provider. If you are not able to be tested through MDH, public health, or an over-the-counter test, assume you have COVID and act accordingly.

Some people (and businesses) want verification of COVID through testing. If you have mild symptoms, there is usually no need to be tested via a healthcare facility. It's a great idea to plan ahead and order the free rapid antigen kits available to order at covidtests.gov. Free at-home PCR tests can also be ordered through the Minnesota Department of Health at www.health.state.mn.us.

If you’ve been tested for COVID-19, please stay home and isolate until you get your test results. This includes staying home from non-urgent healthcare visits. Stay at home – stop the spread!

Where and how can I get a COVID test?

We are currently offering COVID swab testing in our drive thru and patient care department only for those that are ill, experiencing symptoms or have been exposed. Call the appointment line for appointments with providers or the drive-thru, or visit our Walk-In-Clinic. Please note these tests are sent out to the Mayo clinic and are not rapid tests. If you are in need of testing for travel or extra curricular school or family activities, we encourage you to utilize one of the options below.
- MDH has a testing site in Moorhead Monday-Thursday from 11am-6pm at the former Thomas Edison Elementary School. You can sign up online for an appt time at https://mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php
- MDH also offers a test at home option through Vault. To order an at-home test at no cost visit https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/
- Walgreens (and potentially other pharmacies) has free testing available in Fergus Falls utilizing the same rapid test LRH uses. To make an appt visit their website at https://walgreens.com
- Antigen tests can be purchased over the counter at local pharmacies.
- Otter Tail County Public Health offers COVID-19 testing and you Can find the details on types of tests and dates on the site Otter Tail County Testing Information. Appointments are preferred and can be made on their website, but walk ins are welcome.
- Testing options in the Horizon Public Health five-county area can be found here.
- Free rapid antigen kits are available to order at covidtests.gov.
- Links to state sites may be found here ottertailcountymn.us/covid-19-testing-information/

What is the latest on recommended quarantine and isolation timelines?

You can read more at this link.

The Minnesota Department of Health also offers good information on the topic at this link.

People with symptoms during isolation, or who develop symptoms during quarantine, are encouraged to stay home. The CDC guidance is not a mandate; it's a recommendation to employers and state and local officials.

Who can or should get a COVID booster shot?

Boosters are an important part of protecting yourself from getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19. They are recommended for most people. The CDC website has a tool to help you determine when or if you (or your child) can get one or more COVID-19 boosters. You find the tool, read more about boosters, who they are recommended for, and when, on the CDC website here.

I want to get a vaccine. What are my options?

- LRH/PRH are offering vaccines at provider visits and occasional vaccine clinics. Please call the appointment line at 218.739.2221 to schedule.
- Otter Tail County Public Health by calling 218-998-8320 or visiting their website at https://ottertailcountymn.us/content-page/covid-19-vaccine/
- You may also check with Horizon Public Health for their vaccine opportunities by visiting their website at this link.
- Several local pharmacies also offer the vaccine.
- You can search for vaccine locations near you at this website: https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp

How much does the vaccine cost?

The COVID-19 vaccine is being provided at no cost. We will ask for insurance information to submit an administration fee to your insurance company if applicable. If insurance does not cover this fee, it will not be passed on to you.

Can you answer my questions about if the vaccine is safe for me?

The American Hospital Association has a resource that answers many of the frequent concerns we hear about the vaccine. It can be found at https://www.aha.org/vaccine.

Several of our providers have offered some video comments regarding vaccine safety and efficacy as well. Those can be viewed on our website here.

If you still have questions, please reach out to your primary care provider.

Can I get a COVID vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.
Learn more about the timing of other vaccines.

How do I get a mAb (monoclonal antibody) treatment?

COVID-19 medication, called monoclonal antibodies or mAbs, can help people fight their illness. The Omicron variant has induced dramatic change to the procedures for COVID-19 mAbs in Minnesota. Only one COVID-19 mAb is known to retain activity against Omicron. Because of this, the Minnesota Department of Health has directed exclusive use of sotrovimab as of December 20, 2021. Supply of sotrovimab is very limited.

To ensure equitable access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy, referrals are managed through the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform, or MNRAP. This is a tool that screens patients and, if eligible, sends the patient or caregiver's contact information to a site registered to provide COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies. You can access this tool at this link.

If you are already registered in MNRAP, please allow at least 24 business hours for the site to contact you. If it has been over 24 hours, please contact the site selected during MNRAP entry as only that site will have access to your referral. Additional questions may be addressed with your primary healthcare provider.

More information is also available from the Minnesota Department of Health website here.

Masking

Masks are optional for visitors and patients as long as they do not have a fever, respiratory symptoms such as a cough, or had a high-risk exposure to someone with COVID-19. Please expect to be screened at check-in. Anyone with symptoms or a positive diagnosis or high-risk exposure will be required to wear a mask.

Healthcare workers continue to wear masks when caring for patients or providing any treatments.

Vaccine Information & Resources

All Minnesotans 6 months and older are eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine. All adults are now recommended to get the vaccine booster. We have created a dedicated page for COVID-19 Vaccine information & resources and you can find it here.

Visitor Policy

Our current visitor policy is:

Anyone experiencing any COVID symptoms, with a COVID diagnosis, or with a high-risk exposure should not visit.

More information for visitors can be found here.

Testing

We are currently offering COVID swab testing in our drive thru and patient care department only for those that are ill, experiencing symptoms or have been exposed. If you are in need of testing for travel or extra curricular school or family activities, we encourage you to check the additional options listed in the FAQ above.

Visit this link for COVID-19 Testing Prices

Saliva Testing

Where you can get MDH Saliva Testing in Minnesota

How to get the MDH Test at Home Kit

Other Helpful Resources Related to Testing

What to Do if You're Sick

Tips to remember your close contacts

If your COVID test is positive, you may qualify for monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment. If you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 your healthcare provider might recommend that you receive a monoclonal antibody infusion. Read more about this treatment here.

What Should You Do if You Think You Have COVID-19?

Because most cases of coronavirus are able to manage and recover from the illness by staying home, resting and drinking plenty of fluids, as of today we are offering the following guidance:

Patients who think they may have COVID-19 are asked to call us before coming to a healthcare facility.
If you experience the symptoms of COVID-19 we ask you to call first for a phone consult for us to gather specific patient health history. After screening, you will be given guidance on whether to manage at home following the “Home Management Strategies” below or if appropriate, how to access testing or schedule an appointment with us.
If you have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting your test results, or you have received a positive test results, please follow these guidelines for self-isolation and learn more about how & when to quarantine here.

Home Management Strategies:

Stay home except to receive medical care.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home (preferably own bedroom and bathroom).
Call ahead before visiting your healthcare provider.
Wear a face mask if around others.
Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Avoid sharing personal household items.
Monitor your symptoms – if illness is worsening (ex: difficulty breathing), call your healthcare provider.
Remain on home isolation until your healthcare provider and state/local health department confirms it is safe to discontinue.

Virtual Appointments Available

Schedule or Check-In For a Virtual Visit

FAQ's

Learn more about how the virus spreads

How to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as Coronavirus

- Get the COVID-19 Vaccine.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask in certain settings or when not vaccinated or high risk, along with any state or local masking requirements.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Maintain a 6 ft. distance from others if not vaccinated.

Important Phone Numbers:

Lake Region Healthcare Fergus Falls Clinic: 218-739-2221

Lake Region Healthcare Fergus Falls Hospital (24 hours): 218-736-8000

Prairie Ridge Hospital & Health Service Elbow Lake Clinic: 218-685-7300

Prairie Ridge Hospital & Health Services Morris Clinic: 320-589-4008

Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903

Otter Tail County Public Health Hotline: 218-998-8320

RESOURCES

Resources are available to keep you up-to-date on COVID-19 and to help you reduce the risk of infection for yourself and your family.

The CDC website offers abundant, current information about COVID-19. It is updated often. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Minnesota Department of Health

Otter Tail County Public Health

OSHA Resources for Employers

Continue to visit our website and our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lakeregionhealthcare/. We will continue to provide regular updates and new information as it becomes available.