ITASCA COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

ITASCA RESOURCE CENTER

1209 SE 2nd Avenue, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744-3983

Hearing Impaired Number TDD: 218-327-5549 (218) 327-2941 Visit us at: www.co.itasca.mn.us

COVID-19 Situational Update for March 16, 2020

1. Worldwide: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020, due to cases that have been detected in most countries worldwide and community spread is being detected in a growing number of countries. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide. As of yesterday March 15: • 153,517 confirmed positive cases (the majority have been in China, followed by Europe & Middle East) • 5,735 deaths (a majority in China)

2. Nationally: Different parts of the country are seeing different levels of COVID-19 activity. U.S. COVID-19 cases include: Imported cases in travelers Cases among close contacts of a known case Community-acquired cases where the source of the infection is unknown. Three U.S. states are experiencing sustained community spread. National statistics are updated by the CDC Mon-Friday. As of last Friday: • Total cases: 1,629 • Total deaths: 41 • Jurisdictions reporting cases: 47 (46 states and District of Columbia)

3. Minnesota: The MN Dept of Health is tracking stats of COVID-19. As of today: • 1893 people have been tested • 54 positive cases have been identified in MN. No deaths have occurred in MN • Counties with cases: Anoka, Blue Earth, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns, Waseca, Washington, Wright • No cases have been identified in Itasca County • As of today, there is no evidence of community transmission in MN • MN (along w/ the rest of the country) continues to be in the containment phase and is now moving forward with mitigation strategies at the community level

Sources: MDH https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html WHO https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200315-sitrep-55- covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=33daa5cb_8