New COVID Rapid Testing Available in Warroad to Serve NW Angle Travelers
The anticipated opening of a Warroad COVID Rapid Testing Facility is now open in Warroad. Quick Results, LLC offers will now be able to offer a cheaper molecular test, an NAAT test using the Abbott ID Now system. Results in 15-20 minutes; this test typically works for international travel but as every country is different, it is a good idea to review your travel requirements before scheduling. This testing does work to enter Canada.
Rapid COVID Tests in Warroad. The contact info for the new Warroad location is:
COVID Quick Results, LLC, 501 Lake Street NE, Warroad, MN
To make an appointment, the easiest way is to use their online appointment scheduler at http://www.covidquickresults.com/. Tests can be set up 7 days a week. Questions can be answered by their main office at 320-250-4035.
The business was created out of need. It was noticed there were not enough rapid testing options. For some, it was work related, others travel related, others simply wanted an easy way to test before traveling or going to relatives homes.
My name is Jessica Treptau. I’m an RN and Public Health Nurse, wife, and mother of three little girls, living in this crazy COVID world of masks and quarantines.
In the fall of 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health had laid out a detailed decision tree for school districts to follow. It clearly indicates that if one child in a family has any cold-like symptoms, all children in that family must quarantine for 14 days. The healthy children may return to school only if the sick child can prove to be negative for COVID-19. With the only local options for testing taking several days to get results, our children would end up being out of school all week. As most know, if one child gets a cold, it doesn’t take long before the next one gets it. Needless to say, all three of my children were out of school for over three weeks when school started due to minor colds. 
After scouring the internet to find Rapid COVID-19 Testing options, I found a place to go but had to drive over an hour away to get there. Wishing there were options closer, I was bound and determined to figure out whatever needed to be done to get something more convenient for myself, my family and my fellow community members with nowhere to go. Thankfully, I had plenty of built up PTO from my Full-Time job as a Clinical Care Team Supervisor to be able to take some time off to get developed, organized, up and running.
I obtained all of my orders and certifications needed to provide these types of tests to those who need it. From starting out as a “side gig”, I now have 5+ locations, Becker, Bemidji, St. Cloud, International Falls, Brainerd and soon, Warroad, MN.
From the beginning of November 2020 to November 2021, we have successfully completed over 25,000 tests.
Hearing from our patients on how these rapid tests are changing their daily lives is the most rewarding part of what we do. So many are able to return to work or school quickly and companies are able to find the healthy staff that they need to continue to run.
The initial cost of a Rapid COVID Test that meets Canada specifications is $125 per test. Results will be available in about 30 minutes or less.
Quick Results, LLC is an independently owned laboratory with offices conveniently located in Becker, MN, Brainerd, MN, St. Cloud, MN, Bemidji, MN, International Falls, MN and now Warroad, MN (border crossing to Lake of the Woods fishing).
All locations offer RT-PCR tests with results in 30-45 minutes, a NAAT test using the Abbott ID Now system, as well as Rapid COVID-19 Antigen tests for current infections and Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Tests to detect past infections, both with results in as little as 20 minutes. All locations also offer a rapid Antigen test that looks for COVID-19 and Influenza A & B in one test; results in 20-30 minutes.
The Becker location is excited to be able to support the upcoming Flu/RSV season by offering a 4 plex combination test that uses the PCR to test for COVID-19, Influenza A & B, and RSV all in one test. Results still in 30-45 minutes!
All test results are emailed to you with an itemized receipt for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please contact your insurance company to inquire about the reimbursement process.
What is needed to Drive through Canada to the Angle. We are grateful land travel through the 4o miles of Canada up to Minnesota’s Northwest Angle is now possible. There are some criteria travelers must have in order before traveling however. First, a traveler must download the ArriveCan App. Second, a traveler must be vaccinated and upload their vaccination card into the app. Finally, a traveler must have a PCR or molecular COVID test showing a negative test result within the past 72 hours of taking the test.
Lots of Options for COVID Tests to drive through Canada. Thankfully, there are options available as long as you know where to find them. Here are a few…
Quick Results, LLC in Warroad. Open 7 days per week by appointment, quick and relatively inexpensive at $125 (with the chance insurance may reimburse) vs many rapid COVID tests accepted by Canada. This is a new private testing company that was created out of need. It has grown to six different locations throughout Minnesota including Warroad, Bemidji, Becker, Brainerd, St. Cloud and International Falls. If you are near or traveling through one of these locations, this could work out great.
PCR COVID Test in 30 minutes, Thrifty White, Baudette, MN. How convenient. For $100 (which you can turn your receipt into insurance for a possible reimbursement), you can have a result in 25 minutes. This testing option provides a PCR test result which satisfies the Canadian qualification for entering the country.
Thrifty White is open for testing Monday – Friday from 9am – 4pm.
With test results less than 30 minutes for a COVID PCR test that works to travel through Canada, this is an easy solution. The tests are $159 but you will receive an itemized receipt that most are turning into their insurance companies for reimbursement. The testing facilities are open 7 days a week.
Amazon. Yep, this isn’t a typo. Amazon offers COVID test that meets the requirements for Canada. This is a PCR test that you order through Amazon to your home. It is a nasal test with no supervision, such as a Zoom call, necessary. Includes prepaid UPS next-day shipping to lab at no additional cost. Drop off your sample at UPS within 24 hours from collection. Receive results within 24 hours of your sample arriving at the lab.
MN Department of Health (or your own State) Walk In Testing. Some states, such as Minnesota, has many walk in testing options available. Both residents and non residents are allowed to use walk in testing locations. You will be asked for your insurance info and but if insurance does not cover it, there is still no cost to you. These are normally a saliva test and results are received 24 – 48 hours after you take the test. This can make things a bit tight with a 72 hour window but certainly doable.
MN Department of Health (or your own state) No Cost Test at Home Program. Minnesota and various other states offer no cost COVID test at home options. Basically, you order a COVID test kit and do a Zoom call with someone who oversees your saliva testing process. Results are emailed typically in 48 hours or less. The brand name of this test is Vault and there is a question when signing up that asks if you are using this test for travel. If you reply yes, the cost is $119. If you reply no, the test is at no cost. 
No Additional COVID Test Needed Driving back through Canada on your return trip. There are no medical facilities up at the NW Angle. In addition, testing options are limited and take time due to shipping from this remote location. Consequently, additional 72 hour COVID test protocol is not required by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on your return trip. They accept the initial COVID test used to initially access Canada on your trip.
There is no doubt there are a few hoops to jump through to make it up to the NW Angle including getting a COVID test. The reports we are receiving back from anglers is the fish are biting and well worth the hoops. There are many others enjoying the hunting, colors and specialness of the Angle that are also telling us they will be back soon!
General info about Lake of the Woods
