Carlton County COVID-19 update 4/7/20
General Updates:
Carlton County officials were notified by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of two additional lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Carlton County residents. No additional details were shared at this time and the cases are both being investigated by MDH. The lab-confirmed case total for Carlton County is 13. Please find the situation map, updated by MDH daily at 11am here.
Of the 1,069 lab-confirmed cases on MDH’s website, 120 are currently hospitalized and 549 no longer need isolation. The Moose Lake Correctional Facility has reported 9 lab-confirmed cases in inmates (these fall within the 10 total in Carlton County), 7 of which have recovered.
With holidays coming up in early April, MDH and Local Public Health are urging residents to continue to stay home and avoid gatherings. There continues to be an increase in COVID-19 cases in Minnesota, so this recommendation is essential to help limit the spread of the outbreak in our communities and is essential to help protect our most vulnerable Minnesotans – elderly and those with severe underlying health conditions (a more clear definition of higher risk groups can be found below in “Additional Health Recommendations”). Guidance from MDH regarding “Community and Faith-Based Organizations” can be found here.
As a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Learn how to make and wear a face covering appropriately here.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has compiled information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find more information about Food and Beverages, Farmers and Ranchers, Animals, etc. here!
Additional Health Recommendations:
People who are at higher risk for severe illness (Source: MDH website)
COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Based upon available information to date, people at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Other high-risk conditions could include:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have heart disease with complications
- People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
- People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [(BM]I)≥40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
- People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk
Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.
More information on high risk groups can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website here.
The Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433) is one stop shop for Minnesota Seniors – a telephone information and assistance service that makes it easier for older adults and their families to find community resources that are available to them like a local provider of grocery and medication delivery that can be especially helpful during the stay at home order! Also visit the website here.
Twin Ports Queer/Trans Community Care Request: Google Form is available here for requesting support during isolation. The form is intended to gather information about who in the community needs help, and the best way to meet needs.
Carlton County Public Health and Human Services is continuing to recommend that anyone with general health-related questions about COVID-19 call MDH’s hotline (7am-7pm): 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903.
Carlton County Updates:
The Arrowhead Library System is continuing to offer services through the pandemic – please visit their website to check out their services!
Please continue to visit the County webpage for updated details on building/service availability: http://www.co.carlton.mn.us/.
Resources:
Please continue to access the following websites for the most up to date and accurate information:
Stay At Home Executive Order – MN: www.mn.gov/stayhomemn
(State) Minnesota Department of Health - MDH: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
(National) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
(International) World Health Organization - WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Press releases will continue to be added to Carlton County’s website homepage (www.co.carlton.mn.us), under the Newsflash Section. They will also be added to Carlton County’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CarltonCountyMN/), along with other community resources.