April 25, 2020
Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:30 PM on 4/25/2020.
Updates from the Governor
Thank you to everyone who participated in our week-long mask drive! Minnesotans from every corner of the state sewed and donated masks to their local fire stations to support our congregate care facilities. The folks in congregate care settings are on the frontlines of this pandemic, and Minnesotans went above and beyond to help their communities.
Week in Review
On Monday, April 20 Governor Walz and Ecolab CEO Doug Baker highlighted how public-private partnerships are strengthening Minnesota’s response to COVID-19. The Governor highlighted the productive partnerships underway across the state that are helping Minnesota source supplies around the world.
On Tuesday, April 21 the Department of Human Services announced that more than 1,200 Minnesota child care providers will receive about $9.8 million to continue serving children of essential workers through the first round of emergency state funding.
On Wednesday, April 22 Governor Tim Walz, representatives of the state’s health care delivery systems, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota announced a breakthrough for rapid, widespread testing of COVID-19 in Minnesota. By building capacity to test as many as 20,000 Minnesotans per day, this increased testing and tracing will help improve control of this pandemic and support the safe re-opening of society.
On Thursday, April 23 the Governor extended distance learning through the end of the school year and announced a plan for up to 100,000 workers to safely return to their jobs.
On Friday, April 24 Governor Walz unveiled a new website to help Minnesotans find a testing location within their community. The Department of Employment and Economic Development also began sending assistance to self-employed people and independent contractors under the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
- 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.
- Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset and three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine (whichever is longer), and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.
Resources
- CDC Situation Updates
- mn.gov/covid19/
- Apply for Unemployment Insurance
- Minnesota Department of Health Updates
- About COVID-19
Coverage
- Minnesota unveils new COVID-19 fixes for testing, online learning
- Coronavirus: Guidelines for spending time outdoors this summer
- ‘Angels work here’: Employees see visible appreciation outside Mount Olivet Home in Minneapolis
- Coronavirus In Minnesota: What To Expect After You Find A COVID-19 Testing Site Close To Yo