Here is a list of who is considered essential and who is not: Critical Business Information The executive order directs Minnesotans to limit movement to slow the spread of COVID-19 To slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit […]
DAILY COVID-19 MEDIA UPDATE: March 21, 2020
Today, Minnesota tragically heard of the first reported death confirmed to be from the novel COVID-19 virus. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported the March 19 death of a Ramsey County resident in their 80s who recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was the contact of an earlier confirmed case. “Gwen and I extend […]
Daily state COVID-19 update
Governor Tim Walz will participate in the daily Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) briefing to provide an update on Minnesota’s response to COVID-19. The press conference begins at 2:00 p.m. You can listen to the briefing by following the link below. Click here for Governor Walz/MDH briefing:
Renville County coronavirus victim shares his story
On Wednesday morning, Renville County Public Health Nurse Jill Bruns introduced a few members of the media to 68 year-old-Bird Island resident John O’Neill, the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Renville County. Oneill said he and his wife had taken a vacation in California from February 19th to March 3rd. He started feeling sick […]
State Emergency Operations Center Activated
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was activated following Gov. Tim Walz’s March 13 executive order issuing a Peacetime State of Emergency in response to the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak. The SEOC facilitates coordination between agencies so the state can work to keep Minnesotans safe and provide essential services during emergencies. Coordination is currently taking place […]
State health department announces new COVID-10 testing guidelines
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced that due to a national shortage of COVID-19 laboratory testing materials, the state is forced to make adjustments to its testing criteria to focus on the highest priority specimens, including hospitalized patients. Health care workers and those in congregate living settings such as long-term care will also […]
Governor Walz orders closure of bars, restaurants, public amusement
Following the Minnesota Department of Public Health’s announcement today that the number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota climbed past 50 with multiple cases of community transmission, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-04 to order the temporary closure of Minnesota restaurants and bars to dine-in customers. He also ordered the temporary closure of other […]
Governor Walz to announce further action to curb spread of COVID-19
TODAY: Governor Walz to Announce Further Action to Curb Spread of COVID-19 WHO: Governor Tim Walz; Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove; and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. WHAT: Governor Walz will announce further action to curb the spread of COVID-19. WHEN: Monday, March 16, 2020, 5:30 pm As […]
MDH reports pertussis-related death
Minnesota health officials have confirmed an infant death related to pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The infant was diagnosed with pertussis in August 2019 and died in November after being hospitalized for three months. The last pediatric death related to pertussis in Minnesota was in 2013. The first symptoms of pertussis are similar to […]
Local advocates applaud federal push to raise tobacco buying age to 21 (AUDIO)
The minimum age to purchase all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, would go from 18 to 21 nationwide, once a bill passed by Congress is signed by the President. Laura Smith with Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation says “it’s really important because tobacco 21 will help keep tobacco products out of our schools, it will […]