The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Crow Wing County to be a resident from a different county.
The male is a permanent resident of another Minnesota county and came to Brainerd as a client at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. MDH informed the county of the confirmed case Tuesday, March 31, and said he has been released to a family member and is being isolated at home.
Since this individual’s residence in a different county, the confirmed case will not show up for Crow Wing County on the MDH website.
“People that travel to different places could be tested and confirmed in one location but the actual COVID-19 confirmed case will count in the individual’s county of permanent residence,” Crow Wing County Public Health Supervisor Michelle Moritz said in a news release. “This person is currently isolated in a different county. Whether they live in Crow Wing County or they’re here temporarily, we are prepared to follow guidelines and recommendations. We are very fortunate that we have a dedicated emergency preparedness team working with our public health and county leaders working diligently to slow the spread of COVID-19. Our number one goal is to keep our residents safe and healthy.”
Both Crow Wing County and Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge staff are working with health officials from the Minnesota Department of Health to evaluate where this individual has traveled and with whom he might have come in contact in recent days. People identified will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure date and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.
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Mary Brown, vice president of marketing for Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, told the Brainerd Dispatch on Monday the client arrived for treatment at the Brainerd facility about two weeks before and was not symptomatic at the time. Every client and staff member in the facilities are screened daily, Brown said, including temperature readings and evaluations for respiratory symptoms.
In a majority of cases, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. Health officials recommend individuals and families make a plan in case someone gets sick. They also suggest following the same steps for avoiding the flu:
Stay home and away from others if you are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water.
Avoid touching your face.
The Minnesota Department of Health has set up COVID-19 Hotlines available every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
- School and childcare questions: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504.
- Health questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903.
Visit www.cdc.gov and www.health.state.mn.us for more information about COVID-19.
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