Carlton County COVID-19 update 4/23/20
General Updates:
For updated case counts around the state, please continue to reference the situation map, updated by MDH daily at 11am here. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continues to do the main investigation of each case, and Carlton County Public Health staff will follow-up when needed.
Statewide, of the 2,942 lab-confirmed cases on MDH’s website, 268 are currently hospitalized and 1,536 no longer need isolation (recovered). The Moose Lake Correctional Facility has reported 14 lab-confirmed cases in inmates (these fall within the 38 total in Carlton County), and 31 presumed positive cases, 24 of which are no longer requiring isolation (MN Department of Corrections website).
Governor Walz, Mayo, U of M Announce COVID-19 Testing Breakthrough: New statewide testing strategy aims to test all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases, and expand contact tracing tools. With capacity to ramp up testing to as many as 20,000 Minnesotans per day, this expanded COVID-19 testing will help control the pandemic and reopen Minnesota’s society. Read more here, and watch the press conference that took place on 4/22 here.
On April 18th, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan launched a week-long statewide homemade mask drive to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation and highlight the importance of workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear. Find more information here. Participating fire department locations in Carlton County include: Barnum, Blackhoof, Carlton, Cloquet Area Fire District, Cromwell-Wright, Esko, Kettle River, Mahtowa, and Moose Lake.
The Arrowhead Behavioral Health Initiative has created a website with COVID-19 Mental Health Resources for kids, parents/families, and other audiences. Please share with friends and family!
Additional Health Recommendations:
Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) and Sunnyside Health Care Center are accepting donations of the following items: Gloves (Latex-free only), Gowns (disposable), Surgical & Clinical Masks, Home-made Masks, N95 Respirators, Face Shields, Tyvek Suits, Powered Air-Purifying Respirators, Thermometers (tympanic preferred, oral cap covers, infaret), Oxivir (disinfectant), Hand Sanitizer Swabs (Dacron, Rayon, Nylon), Cleaning Wipes with Bleach (ex. Clorox), Viral Culture Media, Hair Covers, Shoe Booties, Expired Items (if unopened and unused).
Masks and other small items can be placed on the table inside the front main entrance at CMH between 9am-3pm Monday-Friday. Questions about donations can be emailed to: donations@cmhmn.org or lkorby@cmhmn.org.
See a video titled “Managing COVID-19 Symptoms at Home” here.
Most cases of COVID-19 are mild with symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. If you can manage your symptoms at home, stay home. You don’t need to see a doctor or get tested for COVID-19.
What you can do at home:
-Get plenty of rest and do activities that require little effort like reading a book or watching a movie.
-Drink lots of water and other fluids.
-If you have a sore throat, eat soft foods like soup, or smoothies.
-If you regularly take any medicine prescribed by your doctor, keep taking it, unless a health care provider tells you to stop.
-If you have a fever, take fever-reducing medicine, following the instructions on the product label.
Taking care of your symptoms at home, when you can, is an important way to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Webinar/Training Opportunity for the Community: “Supporting Child and Teen Mental Health During COVID-19”
Right now, many families are finding themselves in the unique situation: managing children who are out of school, stuck at home, and with their lives disrupted. This unprecedented experience has caused disruption—and confusion—for many students. Not only has the classroom disappeared or become digital, but milestones, athletic endeavors, and social circles have been affected tremendously.
Join on Friday, April 24, at 11pm CST as Dr. Lisa Coyne discusses supporting the mental health of K-12 students including talking about the foundations of coping and suggesting ways to navigate the newfound social and learning environments. The webinar is put on by McLean, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate, and webinar registration can be found here.
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 Carlton County WIC office is still doing appointments for current and new participants. To reach the Carlton County WIC program call 218-878-2853. Due to social distancing, WIC has changed the way services are delivered. In Carlton County, we are currently providing all of our WIC services over the phone or by video conferencing. Please see more information here.
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
- (State) Minnesota Department of Health
- (National) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- (International) World Health Organization