MARSHALL — The Minnesota Department of Health is partnering with local public health officials to offer free COVID-19 testing in Marshall next week.

The event will be one of several testing opportunities in communities around the state.

Testing will be free, and available to anyone who feels they need to be tested, whether they have symptoms or not, organizers said.

COVID-19 testing will be available from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday at the Red Baron Arena and Expo. The testing won’t require insurance.

“The more we know, the more we can help reduce community spread,” said Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes. “Testing plays a key role in our efforts to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 virus by identifying infected individuals to help prevent further person-to-person transmission.”

“Southwest Minnesota is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. The surge is likely due to general increase in community spread due to things such as more social gatherings, students and teachers going back to school, COVID fatigue with people wearing masks and social distancing less,” said Carol Biren, public health director with Southwest Health and Human Services. “This mirrors a trend being seen in communities across Minnesota. While we are all weary of the toll that COVID-19 is taking on our communities, now is not the time to let down our guard or relax our efforts to limit the spread of the disease.”

Biren said taking steps to contain the spread of COVID-19 will help keep schools open and the economy going. Having too many people get sick at one time leads to schools and businesses closing, she said.

Testing organizers said there are important health reasons to get tested for COVID-19. While many people who contract the virus may only experience mild or even no symptoms, some suffer life-threatening complications. Plus, everyone who contracts the COVID-19 virus is contagious. Getting a tests helps people to know if they have COVID-19, and to take steps to protect people they are close to.

Testing will be available at the Red Baron Arena on Sept. 29-30, and Oct. 1. People are encouraged to register for a time slot to avoid long lines. Visit https://www.primarybio.com/r/marshall for more information and to sign up for an appointment.

Those who are unable to sign up online or need interpretation can call 1-855-612-0677 for assistance.