Carlton County COVID-19 update 7/1/20
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 36,716 lab-confirmed cases on MDH’s website, 260 are currently hospitalized and 31,947 no longer need isolation. Please visit the MN Department of Corrections website for more cases specific to those who are incarcerated. For any questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call the Minnesota Helpline at 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504, Monday-Friday: 8am-4:30pm. Please note as of July 6th, hours will change to Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm.
Tracing COVID-19: To slow the spread of COVID-19, we need to follow where the virus may be spreading in our communities. It is important for people who know they have the virus, and for people who have been exposed to the virus, to stay home and away from others. This helps keep them from spreading COVID-19. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, trained workers for the Minnesota Department of Health and local and tribal public health departments call to provide information and answer questions. They also work together to find and talk with the people the infected person may have come into contact with. People who have been close to someone with COVID-19 may have been exposed to the virus, which means they have a greater chance of getting it themselves, and then of spreading it to others. For this reason, the worker who calls will tell people to stay home and away from other people. This work of talking with people who are infected and people they may have infected is sometimes called “contact tracing.” Find out more about how it works on MDH’s website here.
Are you a worksite looking for guidance for “What to do if an employee has COVID-19”? Check this resource (PDF) out from the Minnesota Department of Health.
During the summer months, many Minnesotans want to get out and enjoy the many great parks, lakes, and trails we have available to us. We also want to take advantage of the nice weather to get together with family, friends, and neighbors. Refer to the resources below for some tips for doing these things safely.
Additional Health Recommendations:
It is easy to become complacent to the pandemic surrounding us as the weeks continue on, and especially as our desire grows to get back to ‘normal’. It is very important to remember that we are still right in the ‘thick of it’, and the simple protection measures that have been communicated over the past few months are just as important as ever. Minnesotans have done a great job at slowing the spread, and health officials want to thank residents, with a reminder that we cannot stop now – many people’s lives still depend on our willingness to take precautions to keep our communities safe. Find more specific ways to keep yourself, your family, and the community safe, in different settings, here!
The graph below highlights the importance of “taking precautions for the greater good”. Although the younger ages have the highest amount of cases, they have the lowest death rate. When we look at the older populations, the percentage of cases is quite low, but the death rate accounts for the highest rates (60% of deaths just in folks 80-99 years old). Please be cognizant of the risks of those around you and continue to s
Mental Wellbeing Tip of the Day:
Make your bed as an act of self-care. Crawling into crisp, clean sheets can assist in falling asleep more quickly. A made bed also helps to make a room appear less cluttered, which in turn, can help with feeling calm.
Carlton County Updates:
Continue to visit the COVID-19 Hub on Carlton County’s website to find local resources and information!
Please continue to visit the County webpage for updated details on building/service availability: http://www.co.carlton.mn.us/.
Information on Carlton County’s preparedness plan for keeping employees and visitors safe and healthy, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, can be found here.
Resources:
Please continue to access the following websites for the most up to date and accurate information:
- StaySafeMN Order and Safely Reopening Minnesota
- (State) Minnesota Department of Health
- (National) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- (International) World Health Organization