Situation in Minnesota as of March 23, 2020

Situation in Minnesota

As of March 23, 2020

Total lab-confirmed positive tests: 235

Deaths: 1

The number of lab-confirmed positive tests among Minnesota residents will be updated daily on Situation Update for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with test results from the previous day.

This total reflects only the results from laboratory testing. We believe there are more cases in Minnesota, and that the virus is circulating in communities. It is important for everyone to follow advice on community mitigation and social distancing to help us flatten the case curve.

Minnesota News and Outreach

MDH issued a news release on March 21 to confirm the first death due to COVID-19: Health officials confirm first death due to COVID-19 in Minnesota.

On March 21, Governor Walz issued an executive order authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to provide assistance during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency: Authorizing National Guard Assistance to COVID-19 Response (PDF). This order helps address the critically low supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Minnesota's hospitals and health care facilities, as well as the delivery delays from the federal government's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

Today, Governor Walz issued four additional executive orders to further strengthen Minnesota's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For a news release detailing the orders, visit Governor Walz Signs Executive Orders to Suspend Evictions, Support Small Businesses, Address Hospital Equipment Shortage.

MNsure is offering a special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This SEP will allow uninsured individuals to enroll in health insurance coverage from March 23 through April 21. For more information, visit MNsure: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Special Enrollment Period.

The IRS extended the deadline for federal income tax filing and payments to July 15, 2020, for individuals and corporations. Minnesota Individual Income Tax return deadlines are also extended to July 15, 2020. For more information and updates, visit Minnesota Department of Revenue: Our Response to COVID-19.

Change Your Facebook Profile Picture to support the stay at home message and join Minnesota's new #StayHomeMN campaign.

MDH Materials

We are adding new videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources.

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response

Videos for COVID-19 Response

hand sanitizer

The situation is changing rapidly. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up-to-date information and follow MDH on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to stay informed.

What's New

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

Visit Protecting Yourself and Your Family: COVID-19 for more information on what you can do to prepare, what to do if you or a family member gets ill, and who is at a higher risk for severe illness for COVID-19. This page also includes information and a new fact sheet about pets: Companion Animals and COVID-19 (PDF).

Community Settings

Visit Community Settings: COVID-19 to learn more about what these community settings can do to help slow the spread of COVID-19:

Community- and faith-based organizations

Adult day and senior day centers

Jails and correctional facilities

Congregate living facilities (homeless shelters, group homes, residential treatment facilities, etc.)

Information and Guidance for Schools and Child Care

MDH recently added the following guidance for schools and child care centers at Schools and Child Care: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

MDH Guidance for Social Distancing in Schools (PDF)

COVID-19 Screening Guidance for Emergency Child Care Centers (PDF)

CDC has also expanded Children and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to include tips to to keep children healthy and help children continue learning while school is out.

COVID-19 Public Hotline

Questions about COVID-19?

Health questions:

651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Schools and child care questions:

651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.