The most updated recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regarding isolation and quarantine are as follows:
If there is a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, that person will be required to isolate (cannot leave the home) and MDH and local public health will be following up with investigation and essential services.
If you are experiencing symptoms AND know you have had contact with someone with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, you are recommended to quarantine for 14 days. Quarantine means that you stay out of public situations, and reduce contact with friends/family/the community as much as possible, but are not restricted to staying at home.
If you have not come into contact with a known, lab-confirmed positive case of COVID-19: current recommendations from MDH for ‘staying home when sick’ encourages anyone with any symptoms of sickness to stay home for at least seven days, and be fever free for three days (72 hours) without fever-reducing medications, before returning to work. It is less important ‘what’ you are sick with, and may not even need a diagnosis; it is more important that you are staying away from the possibility of infecting anyone else. Before contacting your clinic or healthcare provider, please ask yourself “One year ago, would I have called my primary care provider to seek medical help with my symptoms?” If so, contact your primary care provider before going in to a clinic or hospital. If not, please continue to stay home and follow the 7-day guidance. More information can be found here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/basics.html.
Due to a national shortage of testing materials, the testing guidelines have changed to prioritize hospitalized patients, healthcare workers, and those living in congregate living facilities. These are situations where a diagnosis may greatly impact their care moving forward. For patients who can manage their care at home with the normal ‘stay at home’ guidance, a diagnosis of COVID-19 would not change those guidelines to stay home. If a person’s situation gets much worse while staying at home, please call primary care before going in to a clinic or hospital.
Carlton County Public Health and Human Services is recommending that anyone with general health-related questions about COVID-19 call MDH’s hotline (7am-7pm): 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903. As of now, no Carlton County offices have been closed. The public seeking county services are encouraged to do as much online as possible and/or by phone ahead of an in-person visit. The public is also requested to postpone any non-essential county business.
With many local closures, there are also local forms of support being created in person and/or via social media (support for seniors, etc.). Carlton County recommends that these groups providing support for certain populations follow the MDH recommendations for social gatherings (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/action.html), and for certain groups (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html) to keep them protected.
Continue to access the following websites for information:
(State) Minnesota Department of Health - MDH: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
(National) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
(International) World Health Organization - WHO: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Press releases will continue to be added to Carlton County’s website homepage (www.co.carlton.mn.us), under the Newsflash Section. They will also be added to Carlton County’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CarltonCountyMN/), along with other community resources.