BIG BREAK IN COVID

A major breakthrough has developed in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced on April 22 a statewide strategy for widespread testing. The mitigation strategy will allow for every symptomatic person to be tested for coronavirus with capacity for as many as 20,000 people every day.
The effort is coming together through a partnership between the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health. It will in part be funded by the $36 million in a Minnesota response fund established by the legislature.
The state has launched a new website that will direct Minnesotans to the nearest location where they can get tested for the coronavirus. It includes a health screening that can be used to determine if someone needs a test and where they can get one.
The website can be found at www.mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick.
Currently, there are 127 clinics and healthcare facilities across the state that are able to offer the diagnostic test for COVID-19. Included in those facilities is Mayo Clinic in Owatonna, which has offered drive thru testing since the crisis began in March. There is currently no testing site in Dodge County as residents can obtain tests by going to either Owatonna or Rochester.
Steele County Public Health Director Amy Caron said the mass testing is expected to be available within the next two to three weeks. At this time Caron’s department is not set up to handle testing on its own, but it is prepared to help with testing if needed by Mayo Clinic. However, Public Health would have the capacity to set up an additional site by itself if needed, Caron said.
Caron calls it important in the fight against COVID-19 to have the mass testing available. With increased testing available, she said, it will help in determining if there are any hot spots locally. “The more we can test people and with the quicker turnaround time, that’s what will make a difference for us on a local level,” she said. “We will have a much better grasp on it.”
Part of the challenge for Public Health up until this point has been getting a handle on how widespread the disease is throughout Steele and Dodge counties, the two areas Caron is responsible for in her role. “Right now, it’s so scattered that we are being reactive,” she said. She added having the additional testing may actually allow them to be more proactive in fighting this crisis.
One thing Caron is certain about is that the number of confirmed cases will likely spike once the mass testing gets underway. But, she is quick to add, “It will give us a better picture of what’s going on.”
 
Local Cases
On Monday, Caron reported two new confirmed cases in Steele County, bringing the total to 14 since the outbreak began. Steele’s numbers went up by five in the past week. There still are no cases in long-term facilities or deaths in Steele County, according to Caron. Of the 14 cases, eight of them are out of isolation and considered recovered, she said.
In Dodge County, there have been 19 cases with 15 out of isolation and no deaths. Both Steele and Dodge counties each have one case requiring ICU treatment.
Cases in Freeborn County have jumped to 33 while Mower County went up to 28. No deaths have been reported in either county.
As of Monday, there are 3,816 confirmed cases in Minnesota with 286 deaths.
Over the past week, COVID-19 cases have “really ramped up and saw significant jumps” across Minnesota, Caron said.
The spike in cases comes as Gov. Walz allowed 100,000 workers to return to their jobs beginning Monday. Businesses are urged to continue to work from home whenever possible.
Caron stressed that businesses with workers coming back must have a COVID-19 preparedness plan available and make it known to their employees. She said it does not need to be submitted to the state, but it must be available if the state requests to view it.
 
Distance Learning
The governor closed schools and extended distance learning through the end of the school year on April 23. The state continues to pursue opportunities to expand technology for students, provide guidance for educators on how to best connect with students and support families.
“As a former teacher, this is a heartbreaking decision,” Gov. Walz said. “I am sorry for all of our students who will miss out on graduations, tournaments and end of year celebrations. While I recognize distance learning is a challenge for many families, it is critical to social distancing in Minnesota and supports the health of Minnesota’s families.”
In response to the governor’s order closing schools for the rest of the school year, the Minnesota High School League declared all activities and athletics that occur during the spring season be cancelled. The decision came as the league is “in support of practices that focus on community health and safety.”
The cancellation applies to all forms of student participation in any league activity, athletics and fine arts. League activities and athletics for the spring season had been previously suspended since March 15.
“Our work will continue in providing leadership and guidance for our member schools and will soon turn to the summer and planning for a return to participation this fall,” said Erich Martens, executive director of MSHSL. “At this time, everything we can do to slow the spread and impacts of COVID-19 will help ensure the health of all, and will most certainly increase the chances that programming for students can return.”
The current stay-at-home order is set to end on Monday, May 4. Caron says she expects the order to be extended in some fashion once again.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s a combination where it’s extended, but loosened up,” Caron said. She added it must be a “slow process to slowly reopen things up again.”