The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed a presumptive positive COVID-19 case in Waseca County, a person in their 40s. The individual developed symptoms March 12 related to overseas travel, and is not hospitalized.
Waseca County affirms that this is an event they have been expecting, planning for, and are now ready to respond to as needed. Waseca County is a strong community, and has experience working together and caring for each other during stressful times. We, with our partners, will continue to support the community as we respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
In preparation for events such as the COVID-19 outbreak, Public Health uses levels of response. The first, containment, focuses on isolation, contact identification and quarantine. The second phase, community mitigation, considers actions such as school closings, canceling of large community events, and promoting virtual or video faith and other services. While Minnesota has not at this time had any community transmission of COVID-19 (all have been travel-related illnesses), Public Health urges the community to continue implementing mitigation strategies to slow transmission of the disease using the guidance provided by Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health.
These recommendations have been posted on our Web site (www.co.waseca.mn.us) and include social distancing and the cancelation of large gatherings. Specific actions for home, schools/childcare sites, assisted living facilities, workplaces, healthcare settings, and community and faith-based organizations are also available there. Learn more about the virus and ways to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbors at the CDC Web site (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html) and the MDH Web site (www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html).
To prevent the spread of these and other illnesses, stay home if you are ill, cover your cough, and wash your hands frequently. MDH has set up a public hotline that is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The hotline number is 651.201.3920.