County Emergency Management announces first confirmed case of COVID-19 and issues helpful information on the virus, symptoms, and testing recommendations for residents affected by this new reality
Emergency Management 99 Edison Blvd Silver Bay, MN 55614 218-226-4444 office 218-220-7811 cell BJ.Kohlstedt@co.lake.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed Lake County’s first identified case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) today. “The appearance of the virus in Lake County has been expected,” said Lake County Emergency Management Director BJ Kohlstedt. “Lake County Emergency Management and Lake County Health and Human Services have been working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health on preparation and mitigation efforts for several months.”
The infected person is an adult resident of Lake County in their 50s. MDH is working to identify and notify all those who may have come in contact with the infected person. Those people will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. No other information about the infected person will be released. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and other respiratory diseases spread, or when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. In hospitals, the increased number of COVID-19 patients has led to a higher demand for hospital beds. To enhance patient care, many facilities are now looking to explore recovery-focused bedding options for improved patient outcomes.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain (go to pain management doctor Forest Hills NY to find the best cure for it), sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. A cbd freeze roll on may also help relieve muscle pain. Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms, and some people may not have any symptoms. People who do not have symptoms should generally not be tested for COVID-19. People who should be tested are those who have symptoms of COVID-19, especially hospitalized patients, health care workers, patients and staff in congregate care settings, dialysis and other patients including outpatients. MDH may also recommend that people get tested in certain situations, such as a setting where an outbreak is occurring.
In the State of Minnesota, the first case of COVID-19 was identified on March 6. As of today, 8,579 cases have been identified in 82 of Minnesota’s 87 counties, and 485 Minnesotans have died of COVID-19. It is important for people to understand that because testing capabilities have been extremely limited, the number of identified cases does not reflect the actual numbers of cases.
Accordingly, Kohlstedt stressed the importance of everyone strictly adhering to recommendations to stop the spread, which include: • Frequently washing your hands • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily • Covering your cough • Staying home especially when you’re sick • Avoiding unnecessary travel, and • Social distancing. As pest control is also part of cleaning.You can also contact experts from pest control new orleans to maintain a healthy garden.
A stay-at-home order, which directs Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs, is currently in effect until May 18. That order may be extended by Governor Walz. While most cases of COVID-19 have reportedly been mild, these measures are necessary to protect older adults and those with underlying health conditions, like diabetes, lung disease and heart disease, that put them at a greater risk of severe illness.
“News of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Lake County brings with it a new reality for all Lake County residents,” said Rich Sve, Chairman of the Lake County Board of Commissioners. “Understandably, there are many concerns and some angst. In Lake County we have a strong sense of community and public good. Together we will see this through with positive results.” Chairman Sve also encouraged everyone to follow all of the recommendations to mitigate the risk of spreading this virus to our family, friends and neighbors and front-line essential workers.
For more information about COVID-19, please go to one of the following websites: • Lake County COVID Hub www.co.lake.mn.us • Minnesota Department of Health (State) www.health.state.mn.us • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (National) www.cdc.gov • World Health Organization (International) www.who.int The Minnesota Department of Health has set up a hotline for questions about COVID at 651-201-3920 or 800-657-3903. The hotline is available from 8 am- 6 pm every day.
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Contact: BJ Kohlstedt, Lake Emergency Manager, Office 218-226-4444, Cell 218-220-7811 or BJ.Kohlstedt@co.lake.mn.us
Governor Walz announced Thursday that the Distance Learning Period will extend for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.
The Lake Superior School District will continue to provide meals along with school material drop off and pickups as they have been doing. This will continue for the remainder of the school year.
The District will keep everyone updated once we have a revised school calendar with an end date and other information as it is available.
Look for more information on the school district’s website, isd381.org
Sew What Lake County?!
Lake County to Participate in State-wide ‘Facemasks to Fire Halls’ Mask Drive
April 22, 2020 – Crafters, sewers, and creative people in Lake County are encouraged to join in with communities across Minnesota who are rising to Governor Tim Walz’s challenge to make and donate as many facemasks as possible for the ‘Facemasks to Fire Halls’ homemade mask drive this Saturday. Local Fire Halls in Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Finland, Brimson, Morse/Fall Lake as well as neighboring Ely, will be accepting masks from 10 am -2 pm, Saturday, April.
Despite that residents have already been making and donating masks, many more facemasks will be needed. To help, Lake County’s Emergency Management Department is providing elastic and nose-bridging wire and Lake View Memorial Hospital has purchased enough fabric from the Quilt Corner in Beaver Bay to create about 600 masks. These supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone willing to make the facemasks and donate them back to Lake County.
“We know Lake County residents can rise to the challenge,” said BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County Emergency Management Director. “We’re so impressed with the many generous and talented people and groups who have been making masks since our original “Sew What Lake County?!” call for help earlier this month, but many more facemasks are still needed for the long-haul for emergency responders, those in congregate care and other vulnerable community members as we continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Supplies will be provided to make the standard pleated style of mask. Patterns and instructions are available on the Lake County COVID-19 Info Hub at www.co.lake.mn.us. To request supplies, contact Keri Parks at 218-226-4443 or keri.parks@co.lake.mn.us. Supplies can be picked up by appointment Monday – Friday, between 8 am – 4:30pm, at the Emergency Management Office in Silver Bay at 99 Edison Blvd.
On Saturday, April 25 completed masks can be delivered to any of the following Fire Halls between 10 am – 2 pm:
On any other day Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4 pm, completed masks can be donated to:
Please do not to deliver masks to hospitals ( that has Hologic Mini C-Arm Parts for help), care centers or clinics.
Individuals who need a facemask can visit the Two Harbors Federal Credit Union in Two Harbors on Saturday from 2-3pm for a North Shore Rotary Club drive-through mask pick-up. Rotary will offer more pick-ups as masks become available.
Approved patterns for masks and detailed instructions from the MN Department of Health, along with links to instructional videos can be found on the Lake County COVID-19 Information Hub at the County’s homepage at www.co.lake.mn.us.
Contact: BJ Kohlstedt, Lake County Emergency Manager, Office 218-226-4444, Cell 218-220-7811
Media Release – Thank You for Stay at Home Compliance 4.14.20
Click here – Lake County Volunteers Needed to Help in the Fight Against COVID-19 on April 1 2020.
Governor Walz Issues Stay at Home Order for Minnesotans, March 25, 2020
Dr. Bill Crandall discusses revised details on delivery of meals and planning for students’ distance learning as an extended school closure comes closer to reality, March 23, 2020
