Of the 14 cases, @GovTimWalz says there are two people hospitalized.
Walz says the state is moving into a “heightened state of readiness”
Walz says the state is moving into a “heightened state of readiness”
Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says ALL cases are travel exposure related.
So far no community transmission/spread.
So far no community transmission/spread.
Malcolm says K12 schools not recommending closures unless specific incidents arise.
“I know this runs counter to the instincts many of us have.”
She says evidence shows youngest among lowest risk. Says short to medium length closures don’t appear to have much impact.
“I know this runs counter to the instincts many of us have.”
She says evidence shows youngest among lowest risk. Says short to medium length closures don’t appear to have much impact.
“We know epidemiology is just one consideration in these tough decisions” — Malcolm.
Stresses broader recommendations “are not a ban on going outside your home”
But she stresses those feeling ill should stay home.
Stresses broader recommendations “are not a ban on going outside your home”
But she stresses those feeling ill should stay home.
She says 550 people tested. “Our capacity for testing is limited”
Malcolm says tests are hung up in supply chain.
Wants federal helps to bring capacity to test 15,000 people among.
Malcolm says tests are hung up in supply chain.
Wants federal helps to bring capacity to test 15,000 people among.
“We are looking for COVID, not just waiting for it to find us,” Malcolm says, conveying the routine surveillance tests the department is doing around flu, other ailments
*15,000 a month
Attorney Gen @keithellison says his office has received dozens of calls about #COVID19 related scams.
He says they’re on the lookout for scammers, price gouging.
He says they’re on the lookout for scammers, price gouging.
. @GovTimWalz says “by this time next week things will look different. There will be disruptions to our daily lives.”
Malcolm stresses event limits are “guidance” not edicts.
“They are strong recommendations. ... but they do not have the force of law.”
“They are strong recommendations. ... but they do not have the force of law.”
Malcolm says the peacetime declaration might provide governor power to turn guidance into something more concrete/enforceable.
Walz says “we are not going to have people out there writing tickets for (events) having 251 people in it.”
Walz says LT GOV not here deliberately as part of stage two of his office contingency planning
Walz says he’d like to make sure employment protections are in place for workers who stay home as choice, potentially without consent.
Admin also looking to loosen unemployment insurance rules to allow for quicker disbursements and to protect employers from rate hikes.
Admin also looking to loosen unemployment insurance rules to allow for quicker disbursements and to protect employers from rate hikes.
Malcolm says she believes community spread is happening.
But “It’s not widespread. If it was, we would be seeing it.”
But “It’s not widespread. If it was, we would be seeing it.”
