BELTRAMI COUNTY COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE/RECOVERY SITUATION REPORT [UNCLASSIFIED]

Beltrami County COVID-19 Response/Recovery Team Situation Report – July 24th , 2020

Total cases in Beltrami County to date: 122*.

New Beltrami cases in the last week: 56.

Total cases in Minnesota to do date: 49,488.

Total fatalities in Minnesota to date: 1,566.

Total cases in the United States to date: 4,054,407.

Total fatalities in the Unites States to date: 144,524.

*There was a reporting lag with identified positive cases and reflecting on the MDH site, a larger increase is expected tomorrow.

Safety Moment:

Now that face masks are required, here is a short video on how to properly put a mask on (YouTube link).

Emergency Management Update:

There has been an increase in demand for face masks following the Governor's Executive Order #20-81 (see order here). The personal protective equipment that has been delivered to our office is allocated to certain disciplines and agencies and not for the public or organizations not related to public safety. Commercial supply chains are being replenished and medical grade face masks are not the requirement. Please see the above link for details on the face mask order. Four million masks were made available for businesses and will be distributed through Chamber of Commerce associations. For additional information if you qualify, please contact: eoc.agcy.deed@state.mn.us.

Public Health Update:

Beltrami County Public Health continues to see an increase in positive cases in Beltrami County. Beltrami County's positivity rate for population is still relatively low and of the 122 lab confirmed cases all but 44 have passed their isolation period. It is also noteworthy, that total lab confirmed cases are estimated to only represent approximately 10% of actual cases due to asymptomatic cases and symptomatic cases electing not to be tested. Beltrami County was identified as having the highest increase in cases for Minnesota in the last week at a 94.8% change, Douglas County was a distant second at 38.7%. We recognize the majority of those who contract COVID-19 will be able to isolate and recover at home, but it is also concerning that within the last two weeks there were five hospitalizations of COVID positive patients.

CDC and MDH have issued new guidance for those completing their isolation periods. The new guidance is to discontinue home isolation for those who were COVID positive and symptomatic after at least 10 days since symptom onset AND at least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND other symptoms have improved. It is also recommended that a second or follow-up test NOT be conducted. A second test should only be considered for those who have several depressed immune system. A test based strategy is no longer recommended to determine release from isolation.

Long Term Care Update:

It is encouraging that precautions in LTC facilities seem to be having a positive impact on COVID cases within facilities. Accounting for approximately three-quarters of the deaths in Minnesota, the number of fatalities in LTC facilities have decreased drastically. Governor Walz attributes mitigation efforts to identify and contain spread of COVID in various congregate settings have been successful.

COVID-19 Volunteer Update:

As the number of cases escalates, so do the requests for MN Responds volunteers. We are asking volunteers to help monitor clients in Isolation & Quarantine, and inviting clients to "mask up" as they enter DHHS. We're striving to develop a mechanism for getting the requests out to volunteers with a quick turnaround. In addition, our Zoom Exercise to orient and engage volunteers is scheduled for July 30. Keep tuned in for more action!

Healthcare Update:

Sanford Health Bemidji has three patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The results of mass testing at Sanford's LTC facilities are returning and so far all residents and tenants have tested negative. Sanford is averaging 100 tests per day at the alternative test site. So far, 5,505 tests to date resulting in 5,105 negatives, 169 positives and 231 results pending (as of Friday morning).

Education/Schools Update:

Bemidji Area Schools is finishing the development of the three school reopening scenarios as directed by Gov. Walz and the MDE. The governor is expected to tell Minnesota school districts which learning plan or scenario they may use to begin the school year. Once that happens, ISD 31 will spend the remaining weeks of summer to design detailed plans and strategies for keeping students and staff safe and healthy while delivering an excellent education, serving nutritious meals, and transporting students.

In addition, ISD 31 has been surveying staff and parents, and will continue to issue surveys, in order to hear concerns from parents and employees and to collaborate with these stakeholders in the development of the plan for reopening in the fall.

MDH Update:

The weekly update: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/stats/covidweekly30.pdf

Tribal Partners Update:

Red Lake conducted community testing for band members and for those who have affiliation with the Red Lake Nation enterprises (employees of the band that are not band members). There is one additional testing event taking place on Wednesday, July 29th.

Law Enforcement Update:

We have had to change some of our operations to comply with Executive Order 20-81. Our 911 Communications Center will be adjusting work stations and arrangement of the room to allow dispatchers work appropriately distanced and separated without requiring a face covering. The advanced headsets make it difficult to dispatch through a facial covering. Please do NOT call 911 to report violations of face coverings.

City Updates:

Prior to the Governor's Executive Order, the City of Bemidji joined many other cities requiring face coverings in public areas. The Governor's EO expands those requirements to cover more areas than the City's order.

Health and Human Services Update:

Beltrami County HHS is providing support to three residents requiring isolation for essential services at a facility in Bemidji.

Other Partner Update:

With mask mandates now state-wide, a number of retailers have masks available for sale. Anderson Fabrics reminds our community that "Made in Beltrami County" washable cloth masks are available for purchase (https://www.andersonfabricsquiltshop.com/).

County Update:

Following Minnesota Executive Order 20-81, masks are now required in all Beltrami County facilities. Please have a mask before conducting business at any Beltrami County Facility.

Community Partner Updates:

Nothing new to report.