BELTRAMI COUNTY PREPARES FOR COVID-19

Bemidji, MN – On March 13th, 2020 in light of the new cases of COVID-19 in the state, Beltrami County Public Health and Beltrami County Emergency Management hosted a meeting this afternoon with a broad set of community partner organizations, including:

Sanford Health Bemidji, Bemidji Schools, Bemidji State University, Beltrami County Commissioners, Bemidji Mayor and City Council, Bemidji Police, Beltrami County Sheriff, Oak Hills Christian College, Leech Lake Emergency Management, Northwest Indian Community Development Center, TrekNorth, Schoolcraft, St. Phillips School, Aurora Waasakone Community of Learners, Beltrami County Health and Human Services, Bemidji Boys and Girls Club, Beltrami County Human Resources.

Beltrami County Board Chair Craig Gaasvig said, “This meeting is a good step in getting the community on the same page with a consistent response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was very informative to hear what organizations are already doing to prepare, especially about the level of planning Sanford Health has completed for any potential need for testing, and a possible surge of patients.”

The best place to check for updated information is the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or MDH at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Sanford Health is providing testing to patients based on clinical judgement. Specimens are gathered and sent to the MDH lab for testing. Supplies at Sanford and at MDH are adequate to meet the current demand. If you are ill and suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call your provider before traveling to medical facilities. Locally, additional information is available on the Sanford Health website for updates.

BSU has implemented significant changes to operations, check their website for details.

Please do your part to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus!

-Stay home if you are sick

-Wash your hands often and well

-Cover your cough

-Clean shared surfaces regularly

This group will convene as necessary and provide updated information to our citizens via the Beltrami County Emergency Management Facebook page, press releases and respective websites.

~Beltrami County Public Health Director Cynthia Borgen