10-2 Coronavirus Update from MN Department of Health

Minnesota Department of Health Coronavirus Update 10-2-2020

Read the 9-30 MN COVID-19 Update from MN Department of Health Here

The Minnesota Department of Health will hold a conference call Friday briefing members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.

MDH Director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Kris Ehresmann:

• “Our thoughts are with President Trump, the First Lady and others as they deal with COVID-19 infections. We wish them a speedy and full recovery.”
• Globally, 34.3 million cases since pandemic began; 1.02 million deaths
• In U.S., 7.2 million cases since start of pandemic; 207,000 deaths
• In Minnesota, 101,366 cumulative cases (up 1,184 cases over previous day)
• Of the 101,366 cases, 90,492 patients (89%) no longer need isolation
• In Minnesota, 2,059 total deaths (up 10). 7 of the 10 deaths occurred at long-term care or assisted living facilities.
• Age breakdown of the 10 new deaths: 1 in 60s, 2 in 70s, 5 in 80s, 2 in 90s
• Patients admitted to Minnesota hospital ICUs have increased.
  • 9/20 to 9/30 — 154 patients
  • 8/20 to 8/30 — 101 patients
  • 7/20 to 7/30 — 111 patients

MDE Deputy Commissioner Heath Heather Mueller:

• 14-day cases per 10,000 people by county used for school district guidance
  • Hennepin County at average of 16.99 cases per 10,000 from 9/6 to 9/19. This is a slight increase from 14.94 cases per 10,000 from 8/30 to 9/12
• Cases associated with pre-K through Grade 12 school buildings
  • A total of 509 school buildings reporting cases since Aug. 1 (these are cases where the infected actually enter a school building). Doesn’t count distance learning students.
  • MDH guidance to schools: Asks that a school notifies families about a COVID-19 positive case involving a staff member or student as a courtesy.
  • 7 schools with 5 or more cases
    1. Crow Wing – Brainerd Senior High School
    2. Freeborn – Albert Lea Senior High School
    3. Isanti -Isanti Middle School
    4. Martin – Fairmont Jr./Sr. High School
    5. Martin – Martin Luther High School
    6. Martin – St. Paul Lutheran School
    7. Pine -Hinckley Elementary
  • School buildings that have not reported a new case for 28 days will be removed from list.

MDH Guidance for Minnesotans Who Attended President Trump Rally in Duluth

• There is a potential risk that transmission occurred at the Duluth rally and other events associated with President Trump’s visit. Community transmission of COVID-19 was high in St. Louis County prior to this week’s rally, and people attending the rally may have been infectious without realizing it.
  • Anyone who attended events associated with the President’s visit and who now has symptoms should get tested right away.
  • People should consider getting tested even if they do not have symptoms because some people may not develop or recognize symptoms and people can spread the virus even without displaying symptoms.
  • People should get tested five to seven days after the event. If they test negative, they should get tested again around 12 days after the event. People should get tested in their home communities and seek testing from their health care provider when possible.
• Anyone who was a direct contact of President Trump or known COVID-19 cases needs to quarantine and should get tested. It is important to understand that quarantine for 14 days is necessary regardless of test results.
• Anyone who attended any large group gathering, especially one with limited social distancing and/or masking, should be alert to potential symptoms of COVID-19 infection, and limit social interactions for 14 days. This is true even if they feel no symptoms of illness.

Q&A Session & Notes:

• “We have not gotten any information in terms of list of attendees from the event,” said Ehresmann on President Trump campaign rally in Duluth.
• “I can’t comment on who or who was not present,” Ehresmann said on President Trump campaign fundraiser at Lake Minnetonka estate in Shorewood. “We have very strong data privacy requirements.”
• Can we attribute spread of cases to start of school? “I think we have to look at this kind of in two ways,” said Ehresmann. The cases shouldn’t necessarily be attributed to opening schools themselves, but also outside cases coming into schools.
  • Only 7 schools with 5 or more cases. “I think that’s very positive,” said Ehresmann.
  • 72% of the schools have had just a single case.
• Seeing more events with attendees sign waivers? “I have seen that at a salon,” said Ehresmann. “That really is a decision that an event or a facility makes with their legal counsel.” Can’t really comment further, Ehresmann said.
• 97 higher ed institutions have reported cases

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