Month: June 2020

Polk County went nearly two weeks between new positive cases before having eight new positive results this week. Polk County Public Health Director Sarah Reese said the many of the new cases seen in Polk County have had direct contact with people known to be positive for COVID-19. “We went from 67 lab-confirmed cases up to 75,” said Reese. “We’ve seen an uptick in numbers over the last week. We currently have 10 individuals who are in isolation. Many of these new positive cases that have shown up since last week had contact with a known positive case. I don’t have the extreme details but what I do know is there were a couple of positive cases that had multiple contacts leading to the positive new cases.”

Reese said even though more activity is happening around the community it is not the time to relax on personal protective strategies. “By virtue of more activity in the community people are moving around more,” said Reese. “Unfortunately, it feels like we may not be as diligent in our strategies to reduce the spread of the virus and people are becoming more relaxed related to the recommendations and the industry guidance that is out there. I think given our uptick in cases it’s really important for people to continue to practice social distancing, be alert for symptoms, contacting their health care provider, and getting tested if they are showing symptoms. This is not the time to relax on those preventative strategies.”

Close contacts to positive cases are asked to isolate even though they may not be affected and until they test positive, Reese said the people in contact with them are not considered close contacts. “A close contact as defined by the Centers for Disease Control is a person who is within that six feet of space of an infected person for 15 minutes,” said Reese. “So, if I am the close contact to you, for example, I don’t currently have lab-confirmed (COVID). I’m not currently a known infected person, so that is how the working definitions are applied.”

Reese explained that if she was in isolation for close contact with a COVID-19 positive person, her family wouldn’t be isolated because they weren’t known to have been in close contact with anyone who had the disease. “For example, if you had COVID and I was exposed to you meaning I was considered a close contact to you because I had spent greater than 15 minutes with you and was within six feet of you for a prolonged period of time I’d be considered a close contact of you,” said Reese. “However, my husband or child would not be considered a close contact because they are exposed to an exposure. I’d be asked to stay home, monitor my health, be aware of COVID symptoms, and contact my health care provider to see if testing was appropriate for me. But my husband, who would be a contact of a contact would not fit that criteria.”

Reese added that if people who been exposed to someone who was not positive for COVID-19 but had been exposed to the disease were also isolated everyone would be staying at home in isolation for extended periods of time. “It’s all based on the definitions,” said Reese. “And, if in fact, we included exposures to exposures everyone would be a close contact, and everyone would be at home for an extended period of time. We know from a disease transmission perspective we have to apply the principles of epidemiology in how diseases spread. So, we have to have a working definition of close contact and people outside that definition.”

There has been talk on social media that reported exposure to COVID-19 at the Care and Share Center in Crookston.  Polk County Public Health released the statement/release below –

Polk County Public Health has received reports regarding an “exposure to Covid-19” message on the New Hope Food Shelf  Facebook page. We have confirmed that the message was not posted by a Care and Share staff member. The Care and Share confirmed one positive Covid-19 employee who was in the building for approximately three hours last week and had no known interaction with the food shelf. Internally they identified potential close contacts and have taken the necessary precautions. Currently, there is no known additional risk to the public.

This is a great opportunity for us to provide accurate information regarding exposures to Covid-19.  COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person. Spread occurs between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets. COVID-19 can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms or before their symptoms start. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines close contact as “individuals within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes”.  Anyone exposed to close contacts (i.e. exposure to an exposure) does not meet the definition of close contacts.

To stop Covid-19 from spreading in the community, our health department will follow up with known close contacts identified by a lab-confirmed individual. The goals of this conversation are to inform the person that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, answer questions, gather information for continued monitoring, and provide referrals for testing, medical evaluation, and other necessary support services.

There is community transmission so continue to practice social distancing, be alert for symptoms, contact your healthcare provider to get tested if symptoms develop and isolate/separate yourself from others until test results are back. If you recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, stay home and monitor your health for 14 days after your last day of exposure.

If you have questions, please call the Polk County Public Health Covid-19 Nurse Line at 218-281-3385.

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9:00 p.m. for Crookston the KROX listening area, including a portion of northwest Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.  A watch means conditions are right for severe thunderstorms in the area.

The watch includes Polk, Clay, Norman, and Wilkin counties in Minnesota.  In North Dakota, the counties in the watch are Barnes, Cass, Dickey, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Lamoure, Nelson, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, and Traill.  

Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, with the potential for damaging wind gusts to 75 mph, hail to the size of golf balls, and a low chance for a tornado.

The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 13,072 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours with 365 positive tests and 9 deaths.  All the numbers are below. 

Updated June 25, 2020
Updated daily at 11 a.m., with data current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.

Data is for cases that were tested and returned positive. All data is preliminary and may change as cases are investigated. Many data points are collected during case interviews. Data presented below is for all cases, regardless of interview status. Data for cases pending interview may be listed as “unknown/missing.”

Not all suspected cases of COVID-19 are tested, so this data is not representative of the total number of people in Minnesota who have or had COVID-19. Cumulative numbers are since Jan. 20, 2020.

• Minnesota COVID-19 Public Dashboard
• Minnesota’s COVID-19 Response and Preparation Capacity
• CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Cases in the U.S.
• Minnesota COVID-19 Modeling

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Council on Disability, the Board of Medical Practice, the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, the Food Safety and Defense Task Force, the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and the Board of Podiatric Medicine.

Randy Sorensen – East Grand Forks MN
Member
Council on Disability
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Kathleen Peterson

Quinn Nystrom – Baxter MN
Member
Council on Disability
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Reappointment

Belo Cipriani – Minneapolis MN
Member
Council on Disability
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Joshua Melvin

About the Council on Disability:
The Council on Disability advises and aids the governor, state agencies, and the public on public policy and the administration of programs and services for people with disabilities in Minnesota.  It is a legislatively established advisory committee within state government to supplement the efforts of advocacy groups in the private sector and link those who are statutorily responsible for planning and delivering services.  The Council advises, provides technical assistance, collaborates with others and advocates to expand opportunities, improve the quality of life, and empower all people with disabilities.

More information on the Council on Disability can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Jennifer Thomas – Blaine MN
Doctor of Osteopathy Member
Board of Medical Practice
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Joseph Willett

Pamela Chawla – Minneapolis MN
Physician Member
Board of Medical Practice
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Patrick Townley

Kimberly Spaulding – Saint Cloud MN
Physician Member
Board of Medical Practice
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment

Patricia Lindholm – Fergus Falls MN
Physician Member
Board of Medical Practice
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 4, 2021
Reappointment

Shaunequa James – Ramsey MN
Public Member
Board of Medical Practice
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Replacing: Gerald Kaplan

About the Board of Medical Practice:
The Board of Medical Practice’s duties include the licensure and enforcement of statutes, laws, and rules related to the professional practice of physicians, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, genetic counselors, naturopathic doctors, and traditional midwives. The Board also serves as a resource to consumers and stakeholders in the health care delivery system.

More information on the Board of Medical Practice can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Quinton Bonds – Minneapolis MN
Member
Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Amran Farah

About the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage:
The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage advises the Governor and the legislature on issues confronting the constituency of the council, legislative changes needed to improve the economic and social condition of the constituency of the council, implications and effect of proposed administrative and legislative changes on the constituency of the council.

More information on the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Connie Cummins – Duluth MN
U.S. Forest Service Representative
Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Darla Lenz

About the Minnesota Forest Resources Council:
The Minnesota Forest Resources Council was legislatively established in 1995 to develop and recommend sustainable forest policies, practices and plans that balance the economic, environmental and social values of the state’s forest resources.

More information on the Minnesota Forest Resources Council can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Michelle Rossman – Oronoco MN
At-Large Member
Food Safety and Defense Task Force
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: June 30, 2024
Replacing: Benjamin Warren

About the Food Safety and Defense Task Force:
The Food Safety and Defense Task Force advises the commissioner and Legislature on food issues and food safety and serves as a source of information and referral for the public.

More information on the Food Safety and Defense Task Force can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Ridge Pidde – Bloomington MN
Chiropractor Member
Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Reappointment

Nicole Kilgo – Golden Valley MN
Chiropractor Member
Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: Robert Daschner

About the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners:
The Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners licenses and regulates chiropractors, handles complaints, reviews and approves continuing education programs, and registers professional corporations.

More information on the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Immaculata Anyanwu – Woodbury MN
Member
Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Reappointment

Immaculata Anyanwu – Woodbury MN
Medical Review Subcommittee Member
Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 2, 2023
Reappointment

About the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities:
The Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities advises and assists the ombudsman in developing policies, plans and programs to benefit persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependence, and emotional disturbance.

More information on the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Jackie Pham – Savage MN
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Board of Podiatric Medicine
Effective: June 29, 2020
Expires: January 1, 2024
Replacing: James Nack

About the Board of Podiatric Medicine:
The Board of Podiatric Medicine licenses doctors of podiatric medicine, disciplines licensees, and registers corporations.

More information on the Board of Podiatric Medicine can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.