Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 10, 2020

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August 10, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today released new visitation guidance to support long-term care facilities’ efforts to balance the need to protect residents with ensuring healthy social and emotional connections with family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective on August 29, this guidance creates a cautious and measured process long-term care facilities can use to determine the most appropriate visitation policy to protect their residents and staff. The guidance is available at Long-term Care: COVID-19. MDH and partners developed the guidance with the recognition that COVID-19 will remain a challenge for many more months.

In early May, Governor Walz also announced a five-point plan, which has helped protect Minnesota’s long-term care residents and workers amid COVID-19. The plan included expanded testing, screening, and monitoring in long-term care facilities; increased personal protective equipment; increased staffing support; and partnering with local public health officials to coordinate support and on-site technical assistance.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic. Wearing a mask helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread.
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms – Find testing locations.
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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