Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 29, 2020

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April 29, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 3:30 PM on 4/29/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz announced his Administration finalized a lease agreement for an alternate care site in Roseville to increase hospital capacity and ensure all patients who need care will be able to get it. The Governor will continue to plan ahead to ensure Minnesota is prepared to weather this pandemic and any challenges it brings.

“Minnesotans deserve as much peace of mind as we can give them during this pandemic, and signing this lease is another way we’ve made good use of the time Minnesotans have bought us by staying home and slowing the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “By setting up this alternate care site in Roseville, our team is making sure that—should it ever be needed—our hospitals have the capacity they need to treat all patients who need care.”

Also today, Governor Walz joined U.S. Congressman Collin Peterson for an event in Worthington to highlight the grave challenges and heartbreaking decisions facing workers and hog farmers in Minnesota. Governor Walz recognizes the significant impact COVID-19 has had on Minnesotans working on our frontlines to keep our food supply chains running. The Walz-Flanagan Administration is focused on protecting the health and safety of these critical workers.

This morning, the Department of Employment and Economic Development announced a new digital health screening tool developed in partnership with Target and the Minnesota Safety Council to support employers and help keep Minnesota’s work environments safe.

Finally, we just got the final count on the statewide mask drive and Minnesotans donated more than 137,430 masks. Altura, MN donated nearly as many masks as it has residents. We couldn’t have done this without the collaboration of our fire stations across every corner of our state. Thank you!

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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.

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