Local public health departments are key to Minnesota’s coronavirus fight — many are already stretched thin

Minnesota’s local public health departments are the first line of defense against COVID-19 and many are understaffed and lacking funding to deal with widespread coronavirus infections.

“We certainly could use some more help,” Gina Adasiewicz, deputy public health director for Dakota County, said Friday after a group of local health officials met to discuss virus preparations with U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.

After the state’s first case of coronavirus was discovered Friday in Ramsey County, Minnesota will be reliant on local public health departments in its COVID-19 fight. During a pandemic, local public health workers are responsible for monitoring infected patients, making sure people under quarantine have supplies and helping medical providers slow the spread of the virus. Continue reading.