In abrupt reversal, Minnesota will release names of senior care facilities with coronavirus

Apr 03, 20200

Glen Stubbe - Star Tribune count

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the state would begin releasing the names of long-term care facilities with residents or staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Amid mounting public pressure, the administration of Gov. Tim Walz has reversed course and will release the names of dozens of long-term care facilities where residents and staff have become infected with the novel coronavirus.

For the past three weeks, the state Department of Health has been concealing this information, citing data-privacy concerns, even as the virus has spread rapidly in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the state. Most of the Minnesota COVID-19 deaths have been among long-term care residents, who account for 11 of the 18 deaths. Statewide, 49 residents and 22 workers in long-term care facilities have been sickened by the virus, and the soaring numbers of cases had spurred calls for more public disclosure.

https://www.startribune.com/in-abrupt-reversal-minnesota-will-release-names-of-senior-care-facilities-with-coronavirus/569334942/