Do you know how public health officials know which COVID-19 variants are circulating in Minnesota? It's through a laboratory process called sequencing. Sequencing takes a long time and a lot of resources, so researchers run just enough tests to be confident about what variants are in our state. A COVID-19 test can’t tell you what variant you have, but the steps you should take if you have a positive COVID-19 test are always the same, regardless of the variant. Help slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask when recommended, getting vaccinated, staying home if you are sick, getting tested when needed, and washing your hands often! health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/basics.html#variants