Carlton County COVID-19 update 6/10/20
General Updates:
For updated case counts around the state, please continue to reference the situation map, updated by MDH daily at 11am here (includes county-specific case count). 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 28,869 lab-confirmed cases on MDH’s website, 427 are currently hospitalized and 24,675 no longer need isolation. Please visit the MN Department of Corrections website for more cases specific to those who are incarcerated.
Please visit the StaySafeMN website for details on Phase III (begins today – June 10) of re-opening details. Also see June 5th Press Release “Governor Walz Announces Gradual Re-Opening of Indoor Dining, Gyms, Entertainment Venues”.
Carlton County COVID-19 Mental Health Survey
Carlton County Public Health and Human Services believes that providing support for the mental health and well-being needs of county residents during the COVID-19 pandemic is just as important as providing support for their physical health needs.
This brief survey will help us understand better the mental health needs of the community during this time and plan with our elected officials and local partners to effectively address the community’s mental health needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses will be collected until 7/3/20.
The survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CarltonCo or by scanning the QR code below.
Watch Out for Text Scams
Contact tracing is a key public health tool routinely used to slow the spread of COVID-19. Public health workers conducting contact tracing initially will reach out by phone to people who have become infected or exposed to determine whether others may have been exposed as well. However, in recent weeks there have been reports of scammers impersonating public health workers.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers are sending texts that say you came in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Clicking on the link in these text scams could download unwanted software that can access data on your phone or direct you to a site that tries to trick you into revealing sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank information, passwords, or medical information.
We want to emphasize the point that health officials in Minnesota would text someone only after contacting them by phone, so anyone who receives a text message without having already heard from public health officials by phone should ignore and delete the text.
FTC also offers recommendations on how to protect yourself from these types of scams. For more information, see Minnesota Department of Commerce and Department of Health Warn Minnesotans of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scam.
State of Minnesota community survey
The State of Minnesota asks members of Minnesota’s Black, Asian, Latinx, Indigenous, immigrant, and other refugee communities to share how COVID-19 has affected them and share how the state can better support them in the COVID-19 recovery efforts. This information is critical for the storytelling work that the state plans to do to amplify our community’s voice and power. Please consider sharing your story through this survey and share with other family/friends. The survey is available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.
See guidance for organized sports here!
Additional Health Recommendations:
As a reminder, recent reports have indicated that in MN, some routine childhood immunization rates have dropped by 71% in the month of March, mostly due to the pandemic. Clinics in our region are safely offering Well child/Child & Teen Check-ups which include routine vaccinations. If your child is behind, or due for immunizations or a Well child/C&TC, please contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment today!
Support your physical and mental wellbeing during COVID-19 (MDH websites):
- Health Eating
- Staying Active
- Mental Wellbeing
- Seniors in Congregate Living Facilities
- Mental well-being tips, resources, and tools to share with public health responders and employees
Mental Wellbeing Tip of the Day:
Look for ways to grow: Continue to move towards your goals. COVID-19 will not last forever. Keep working on that weight loss goal or planning that dream vacation. You may have to adjust your timeline, but it is important to keep working towards goals that are important to you.
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 (Weekdays 8am-6pm and Weekends 8am-4pm): 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903.
Carlton County Updates:
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:
- StaySafeMN Order
- (State) Minnesota Department of Health
- (National) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- (International) World Health Organization