Health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) are monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness, called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.  COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before.  COVID-19 is not caused by the same coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. However, it is in the same family of viruses.

As of March 12, 2020, there have been 9 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota in the following counties:  Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, and Stearns.  There have been no cases in Itasca County.  So far, the cases in Minnesota have been travel-related and there has not been evidence of the virus circulating in the community.  Itasca County Public Health is following the situation closely and is receiving guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and CDC.  MDH is monitoring and testing individuals who have risk factors or symptoms concerning for COVID-19.  If a case is identified, MDH will implement appropriate isolation, contact identification, and quarantine measures to prevent further spread into the community.

The following are steps we can all take to protect ourselves and those around us from COVID-19:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.  If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is recommended
• Cover your cough
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or face
• Stay home when you're sick
• Avoid travel to areas where community spread is occurring
• Wearing a facemask is NOT recommended unless you have symptoms concerning for COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or are a healthcare worker caring for ill patients
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and think you may have been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 or recently returned from an area where COVID-19 is occurring, it is recommended you call your clinic or the ER before you arrive to be evaluated

We are also in the midst of the influenza season.  The above recommendations in addition to getting the flu vaccine (it's not too late!) will help protect you and those around you from the flu, which can be serious and even fatal.

Information on COVID-19 continues to evolve daily—therefore, Public Health recommends the following sources for the most up-to-date information:

Minnesota Department of Health https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

• Travel Information https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/travel.html

Centers for Disease Control https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

World Health Organization https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The CDC  and MDH have developed guides for various sectors (healthcare, long term care, schools, businesses, first responders, homeless shelters, jails, etc) to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in communities:

CDC Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

MDH Prepare and Prevent COVID-19