Itasca County Rally to Fight COVID-19 | COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) (# Add parentheses when first appearing if there is no character limit

Itasca County is unaffected by record-breaking COVID-19, which spans states, regions and countries. Nonetheless, local public health authorities and front-line healthcare providers are calling on residents to stop the spread through options that protect themselves, their families and their communities.

“Each of us is called upon to take extraordinarily difficult steps to stop the rampant spread of COVID-19,” said Kerri Chandler, manager of the Itasca County Public Health Department. .. “Still, simple things can make a difference, such as wearing a mask, keeping a physical distance, and ensuring that the virus is present to avoid all kinds of gatherings.”

As of 3:00 pm on November 19, Itasca County had 288 COVID-positive cases in the last 7 days and 551 positive cases in the last 14 days. As of November 16, the average 14-day case rate per 10,000 residents is up to 123.3.

An additional Itasca resident died of COVID, a man in his 70s. Three residents are in the intensive care unit and 24 are hospitalized.

“Northern Minnesota understands the threat of wildfires, and that’s the current pandemic situation,” Chandler said. “Especially, Italians know that it is necessary to take a break to stop the spread of wildfires, which is enough space to slow the pace of the spread and extinguish or at least manage it. I can. That’s what the public health community is now trying to slow down enough so that we can keep up with our needs.

“Our local healthcare professionals and resources are under stress. Make difficult decisions to slow the spread of COVID. Avoid gatherings with others and others, including close family and friends. When you are around, assume that someone is infected with COVID or is infected with COVID.

“We can do this together. It’s up to us to make a difference until we get the vaccine. Today, in the true spirit of Thanksgiving, we need simple actions of kindness and gratitude. We would like to thank all those who make sacrifices to keep the community safe, including restaurants and bars, young students and athletes, fitness centers and schools, and parents attending as teachers and tutors. They are now our firebreak. “

Each of Itasca County’s three major healthcare facilities has reached capacity in a variety of ways and is seeking help from the community.

Grand Aitasca Clinic & Hospital

“Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital has planned a surge in patients since the outbreak of the pandemic,” said Jean MacDonell, President and CEO. “We have made many adjustments to the facility to increase capacity in case of an influx of COVID patients.

“The current combination of patients requiring COVID and non-COVID hospitalization has pushed us to the limit not because of the availability of physical space, but because our least resources are staff. Over the past two weeks, we have been transferred to our hospital several times or have been unable to accept new patients. Sometimes there is space to care for patients, but enough to provide the care they need. The health and safety of our staff and patients is our number one priority. Stop the spread of COVID and in the comfort of the community, everyone who needs us Please play your part so that you can take care of. “

Big folk valley

Angela Kleffman, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Bigfork Valley continues to work with local healthcare facilities to ensure that each patient is cared for in the right environment. As beds are beginning to fill our area, we recognize the possibility of caring for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 with greater capacity and have spent the last nine months preparing for this surge. I did.

“As the flu season approaches, we anticipate that staff shortages will continue to be a threat. To protect patients and staff, we make every effort to prevent sick workers from providing care and face staff challenges in response to the COVID-19 quarantine period after illness and exposure. I am.

“We urge the community to comply with the Governor’s limits in order to reduce the spread of the community. We hope that limiting community activity can impact infection rates and change local outcomes. We all need to be influential, but we are confident we can do it together. “

Essentia Health Deer River

“Essentia Health hospitals are reaching capacity and our healthcare providers are very busy caring for COVID-19 patients,” said spokesman Louie St. George. “Our resources are growing thinly and our ability to staff in hospital and ICU beds is being tested. This poses a risk to our community, so take this pandemic seriously. It is recommended.

“Watch out for COVID. Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose. Practice social distance. Avoid large gatherings. If you are ill, stay home. And-this is We recognize it as a big question — don’t get together indoors unless absolutely necessary. Reducing community expansion is to protect and care for front-line healthcare professionals. It is important.”

Testing remains essential and is becoming more and more available. However, the power of testing is how it communicates and drives action.

If you are waiting for the results of your COVID test, stay home.

Even if you have mild symptoms that resemble a cold or allergy, stay home and have a test.

If the test is positive, the family should also be quarantined for 14 days from the last exposure.

In addition to the COVID test available through local health facilities, residents of the Itasca region now have access to two additional sources.

This week, the Minnesota Department of Health launched a community test site at the National Guard Armory in Hibbing, Brooklyn Drive, 2310. The test includes a nasal swab and is 100% free regardless of whether you have health insurance. The property is not open daily, but is open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Schedule your booking here to minimize latency and ensure that it’s a test date. https://www.primarybio.com/r/hibbing

Free home saliva test kits are available to everyone in Minnesota and will be delivered to your home with fast delivery ( https: //www.health.state.mn.us /…/testsites/athome.html). The UPS site for returning completed tests is:

UPS Grand Rapids, 425 11TH ST SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MN 55744

108 MAIN AVE E, DEER RIVER, MN 56636 (in Jurvelin hardware)

431 E PLATT AVE, NASHWAUK, MN 55769 (Inside Ross Home Center), 100 OTTUM AVE, BIGFORK, MN 56628 (Inside Bigfork Hardware)

Links to other sites- https://locations.ups.com/mn/

Residents of Itasca who have questions or concerns can call the COVID message line in Itasca County from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. The line number for Itasca COVID is 218-327-6784. Current regional data and information can also be found on the county website. https://www.co.itasca.mn.us/798/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information