COVID-19 local response efforts

A Community of Immunity.

Covid 19 update
Click the COVID-19 update graphic for the latest Olmsted County data. Updated every Wednesday at 2 p.m.

 

 

As of 11/26/21: Olmsted County remains at a High Level of Community Transmission. Cases continued to increase the past week. Olmsted County is at about the same level of cases as a year ago during the first peak of the pandemic. The public has access to the vaccine, including boosters and vaccinations for children ages 5 to 11.

As of November 23, 2021, Minnesota was ranked sixth in the nation for the percentage of 5- to 11-year-olds who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and second for booster dose administration. Locally, Olmsted County has 32 percent of 5- to 11-year-olds with one COVID-19 vaccine. Of the Olmsted County population, 32 percent of people eligible for a booster have received one.

 

Pfizer Vaccine Clinic

Olmsted County Public Health has Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination ready to administer at 2100 Campus Dr. Se, Rochester, MN 55904

First dose vaccination is Wednesday, December 1, 2021, from 5-7 p.m.

Second dose vaccination is Wednesday, December 22, 2021, from 5-7 p.m.

Olmsted County Public Health is able to provide the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to anyone ages 5- to 11-years-old. Parental consent is needed. Parents and guardians are required to accompany minors getting vaccinated.

Scheduling an Appointment

  • Use the registration link and enter the passcode Peanut1 to get started.
  • During your registration you will be asked to register for both first and second dose appointments.
  • You will be asked to provide basic demographic information and respond to consent questions.
  • Please do your best to keep your scheduled appointments. Appointments are limited and may not be available for immediate rescheduling.

Learn more about vaccinations for 5- to 11-year-olds with the following video.

November 22, 2021, Viv Williams from the Post Bulletin moderated a forum with OCPHS Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Amy Evans, Olmsted Medical Center Pediatrician Dr. Peter Arndt, and Mayo Clinic Pediatrician Dr. Robert Jacobson. The three speakers gathered to address the importance of adding the 5- to 11- year-old population into the county’s vaccinated group. Some of the specific questions answered by the panelists in the video include:

  • Will my child experience side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine that could interfere with school or sports?
  • Does getting the COVID-19 vaccine mean my child can stop wearing their mask and taking coronavirus precautions?
  • Will the vaccine get approved for children younger than five?

 

Omicron variant

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization classified a new variant B.1.1.529 as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. No cases of this variant have been identified in the U.S. to date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is following the details of this new variant. The CDC also continuously monitors variants and the U.S. variant surveillance system has reliably detected new variants in this county. In a release, the CDC expressed confidence in identifying Omicron quickly, if it emerges in the U.S.

The CDC recommends people continue following prevention strategies, such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial of high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, and physically distance from others. CDC also recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. Those eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose should get one.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine availability chart

*EUA: Emergency Use Authorization

The CDC and MDH have authorized mixing and matching vaccine boosters

Current status

Pfizer COVID-19 shots for children 5 to 11 in Olmsted County

Olmsted County Public Health Services, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center all follow guidance from the CDC related to COVID-19 vaccinations, including 5- to 11-year-old vaccines. These organizations are now sharing details about their vaccination plans. 

COVID-19 news articles

11/1/2021

Olmsted County transitions COVID-19 case investigation/contact tracing (CICT) to Minnesota Department of Health

10/25/2021

Olmsted County medical partners review approved COVID-19 treatments

09/30/2021

COVID-19 booster shots in Olmsted County | Olmsted County, MN

09/14/2021

Community spread of COVID-19 continues in Olmsted County resulting in case investigation changes | Olmsted County, MN

09/09/2021

Olmsted County Board of Commissioners highly recommend masks in school settings where children under age 12 are present

Olmsted County recommends regular COVID-19 testing

9/02/2021

Sept. 2, 2021 COVID-19 Q&A video featuring speakers from Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic, and Olmsted Medical Center

08/11/2021

Olmsted County reaches high COVID-19 transmission rate

View these links for the latest COVID-19 data.

 

For more information related to local and statewide COVID-19 data, please visit the following Minnesota Department of Health websites:

Minnesota Department of Health: COVID-19 Situation Update
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Minnesota Department of Health: Vaccine Data
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Local resources  

Local resources include:

Are you experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency? Contact 1-844-CRISIS2 or text HOME to 741741.

Additional COVID information and resources

Olmsted County Social Media 

Refugee and Immigrant Helpline 651-318-0989

COVID testing

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and the Minnesota Department of Health recommend people, vaccinated and not, get tested 5 to 7 days after exposure to COVID-19.

Minnesota has worked hard to make it easy and convenient to get tested for COVID-19. It is important to get tested if you:

  • have not received your vaccine yet; 
  • and are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms experiencing symptoms – even if you are already fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 testing options for Olmsted County residents

Residents can call various places to make an appointment to get tested for COVID-19. Below is a list of options for Olmsted County residents.

Mayo Clinic patients

  • Mayo Clinic patients: Call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at 507-293-9525.

Olmsted Medical Center patients

  • Olmsted Medical Center patients: Call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at 507-292-7266. Testing hours are Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Community Health Services (aka Migrant Health)

Hy-Vee – Locations in Olmsted County

Walgreens - Two locations in Olmsted County

Compcare Occupational Medicine and Urgent Care

Online Order MDH-Vault

If you do not have a primary care provider but need testing, call either of the COVID-19 triage lines provided above. If you do not have insurance and are unable to cover the test cost, please inquire about billing options when you call.

COVID-19 test results

When an individual gets tested for COVID-19, they should stay home until they receive their results. Staying home when sick is essential to keeping COVID-19, or other infectious diseases, out of schools, workplaces, and communities.

Test results are typically available within 48 hours; however, it could be longer depending on the volume of tests coming through. You will be contacted by a care provider. If you have interacted recently with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, you should alert them to let them know they should quarantine for 14 days.

COVID vaccine

There are many opportunities to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available at no cost; however, some clinics and pharmacies may charge an administration fee. 

Olmsted County COVID-19 vaccine locations

Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic locations in Minnesota have begun vaccinating children 5 to 11 for COVID-19. Parents and legal guardians can use their Patient Online Services caregiver account or the Mayo Clinic App to schedule an appointment. If they don’t have a caregiver account for the 5- to 11-year-old and would like to set one up, they can call Mayo Clinic Customer Assistance at 877-858-0398.

Children 13 and over can schedule an appointment through Patient Online Services. For 12-year-old children, a parent or guardian can schedule through their Patient Online Services caregiver account. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling 507-538-4040. If you or your child does not have a Patient Online Services Account, call Mayo Clinic Customer Assistance at 877-858-0398 to create one.

Olmsted Medical Center (OMC): OMC is scheduling COVID vaccines at the Rochester Southeast Clinic. Appointments for patients 12 years of age and older will be held on Thursdays, on an ongoing basis.  Patients must call 507.292.7300 to schedule their vaccine. There are no walk-in appointments.

OMC is scheduling two vaccination clinics for 5- to 11-year-old children at the Rochester Northwest Clinic between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Appointments for the first dose will be available on November 13, 2021 and November 20, 2021. Appointments for the second dose will be available for December 4, 2021 and December 11, 2021. When coming to the Northwest Clinic, parents and guardians are asked to check in at the appointment desk in the main lobby. OMC will reach out to parents and guardians through text or the telephone reminder system about how to schedule an appointment. For families who do not have a primary care provider at OMC, they can call 507-292-7300.

Community Health Services: Call the clinic for more information.

Rochester Clinic: Call the clinic for more information. 

Olmsted County Public Health Services is not currently providing vaccines to children age 5-11. The department will first focus on completing primary and booster dose clinics that were scheduled before the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11 before moving to this age group. If seeking vaccinations for eligible children, OCPHS encourages families to reach out to their primary care provider, check with their local pharmacy, or find a location on the MDH Vaccine Finder website.

Local pharmacies and the State of Minnesota: Individuals can now sign up with the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. The connector will help you find out when, where, and how to get your vaccine.  Vax for Kids can help you find vaccine for children 5 to 11.

How to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccination

  • Eat a good meal or snack and drink plenty of water ahead of the vaccination.
  • For youth receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, find tips from Mayo Clinic for answering common questions you or your child may have about vaccines from Mayo Clinic.
  • Review additional information about COVID-19 vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that has been approve for all ages 5 and older, on the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 webpage. 
​ Mayo Clinic Vaccine Guidance ​
CDC: Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

General questions

What vaccines are available?

COVID-19 vaccines are authorized and then recommended for use in the United States. It is important to understand what is known about each vaccine. The CDC provides vaccine information on who is and is not recommended to receive each vaccine and what to expect after vaccination, as well as ingredients, safety, and effectiveness.

Currently, three vaccines are available to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

Why do we need a vaccine? 

Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your community. A COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from getting sick or becoming hospitalized if you do get sick. It is important to note that a vaccine will not replace the need to continue other actions that stop the spread of COVID-19. The vaccine is highly encouraged by healthcare experts.

Will a COVID-19 vaccination protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from COVID-19.

Can I travel safely if I've been vaccinated? 

The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated because travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. However, fully vaccinated individuals can travel safely within the United States. Find more information about travel guidelines from the CDC. 

After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, will I test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test? 

No. Neither the recently authorized and recommended vaccines nor the other COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials in the United States can cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.​ If your body develops an immune response—the goal of vaccination—there is a possibility you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus. Experts are currently looking at how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results.

An antibody test (also known as a serology test) might tell you if you had a past infection. Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current infection.

How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost?

The federal government covers the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine; it will be provided to people at no cost. Providers will be able to charge an administration fee. This can be reimbursed through the patient’s insurance or the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Provider Relief Fund. So, people getting the vaccine may be asked for insurance information.

Aren't masking, physical distancing, and self-quarantining reasonable alternatives to COVID-19 vaccination?

Given the extent of COVID-19 spread in the U.S., masking, physical distancing, and self-quarantining alone will not be enough to contain the pandemic. Developing large-scale immunity in the community through vaccination is key to stopping the pandemic.

Everyone will need to continue to take precautions, such as masking and physical distancing until the spread has stopped. Until then, COVID-19 spread can continue in the community from people who have or don't have symptoms.

A person can be contagious for as many as 14 days without symptoms. A person can develop symptoms but be contagious before symptoms start. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others, beginning two days before symptoms develop and up to 10 days after becoming sick.

What if I get a vaccine in another part of the state/another state, can I schedule my second one in Rochester?

Yes. You can go to a pharmacy in the Rochester area. Find pharmacies with the COVID-19 vaccine. Use Vax for Kids to find COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens.

Vaccine distribution

Where can I find listings of vaccine providers? 

The State of Minnesota has a new vaccine finder map to help residents search for local providers.

Minnesotans can use the map to find vaccine providers near them and contact those healthcare providers with questions. However, providers on this list, may or may not have vaccine available consistently.

What if I don’t have a medical provider? 

Those who don't have a medical provider can use the vaccine finder map to find pharmacies that have COVID-19 vaccine available.

Where can I find the latest information regarding vaccine distribution?

The Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard has a wealth of information, including the number of vaccines distributed to providers and the total number of vaccines given. 

Safety and effectiveness

Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?

From the CDC website: COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against adverse effects from the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the genetic material in the vaccines cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. All COVID-19 vaccines work with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity to disease.

Is the vaccine safe and effective?

Over 442 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States from December 14, 2020, through November 15, 2021.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support approval or authorization of a vaccine.

Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines since they were authorized for emergency use by FDA. These vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

You can visit the CDC's website for more information about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Pfizer-BioNTech has further received FDA approval for ages 16 and older.

Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 5 years and older, including people who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future, as well as their partners. The CDC health advisory strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination for both pregnant person and their fetus or infant outweigh known or potential risks. Scientists study every vaccine carefully for side effects immediately and for years afterward. The COVID-19 vaccines are being studied carefully now and will continue to be studied for many years, similar to other vaccines.

Currently no evidence shows that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and people who would like to have a baby.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?

  • The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is for ages 5 and above
  • The Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are for ages 18 and above.

Until children are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, should eligible adults who live with children under 12 be vaccinated for COVID-19? 

Yes. It is very helpful for anyone who becomes eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to be vaccinated. The reason for that is that we are trying to achieve herd immunity to try to slow down and stop the pandemic. This refers to when you have enough of a population that is immune to an infection that the infection cannot easily jump from one person to the other. Herd immunity slows down transmission, so even if children have not completed their vaccination series or are not yet eligible for vaccination, if the adults around them are vaccinated, that provides them with some protection. In that case, they are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19. We certainly encourage anyone who is eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

How many shots of the COVID-19 vaccine will be needed?

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses roughly 3-4 weeks apart. You will schedule an appointment to receive your second dose when you schedule your first. Moderately to severely immunocompromised people ages 12 years and older who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series and ages 18 years or older who complete their Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary series should plan to get an additional primary dose followed by a booster dose.

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen requires only one shot.

Some people are eligible for booster shots.

Is one dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine effective?

One dose of vaccine has not been fully tested. You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. There is currently limited information on the effectiveness of receiving your second shot later than 6 weeks after the first shot. However, if you receive your second shot of COVID-19 vaccine at any time after the recommended date, you do not have to restart the vaccine series, and you can be considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after getting your second shot. This guidance might be updated as more information becomes available. 

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Adults and children may have some side effects from the vaccine, primarily headache, chills, fatigue, or muscle pain, or fever, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. These side effects may affect their ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects, and allergic reactions are rare.

Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose. For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected data on each of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines for a minimum of two months (eight weeks) after the final dose. CDC is continuing to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines even now that the vaccines are in use.

How long will a COVID-19 vaccination offer protection?

CDC recommends that if you received a primary series of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) and are 65 years and older, 18 years and older and live in a long-term care setting, or are between the ages of 50 and 64 years and have certain underlying medical conditions, you should receive a single COVID-19 vaccine booster shot at least 6 months after you have completed your primary mRNA vaccine series.

CDC recommends everyone 18 years and older who received a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine primary dose should also receive a single COVID-19 vaccine booster shot at least 2 months after their primary dose.

If you are 18–64 years old and work or reside in high-risk settings, or if you are ages 18–49 years with certain underlying medical conditions, you may get a booster shot based on your individual risks and benefits.

Learn more about who is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

If you get a booster shot you have the option to either get the same COVID-19 vaccine product as your primary series, or you can get a different COVID-19 vaccine. You may have a preference for the vaccine type that you originally received, and you may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or J&J/Janssen). You may consider the benefits and risks of each product and discuss with your healthcare provider which COVID-19 vaccine product is the most appropriate booster for you.

Currently, a booster shot is not recommended for children less than 18 years old.

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I got the flu vaccine?      

Yes.

What to expect after vaccination

Can you spread COVID to others after vaccination?

From the CDC website: Although COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting sick, scientists are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not have symptoms. Early data show the vaccines do help keep people with no symptoms from spreading COVID-19. Yet, this disease is new and scientists continue to learn more as more people get vaccinated and how long the vaccines protect people.

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?

We know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from hospitalization and death and evidence now shows that people who have been fully vaccinated can return to do some of the things that they stopped doing last year because of the pandemic.

People are considered fully vaccinated:

  • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or,
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

Can those who have had COVID-19 get vaccinated for COVID-19?

Yes. We recommend getting vaccinated for COVID-19, even for those who have had COVID-19 previously. People should wait until they are no longer infectious to get vaccinated.

 

What to do if you're exposed to COVID-19

You have been exposed to COVID-19 if:

  • You were less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more.
    • Exception: In the K-12 indoor classroom setting or a structured outdoor setting where mask us can be observed, the close contact definition excludes students who are between 3 to 6 feet apart.
  • Someone in your household has COVID, even if they don’t feel sick.

You can still have COVID-19 if you do not have symptoms. You can still infect others with COVID-19 if you do not have symptoms.

Keep in mind

The Minnesota Department of Health is working on Olmsted County's COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.

  • Not all individuals testing positive will get a call from MDH. 
  • MDH will focus on calling those under 18 years old, vaccine breakthrough cases, those with emerging variants of interest, and people who have had contact with individuals who are hospitalized or deceased.
  • While all individuals may not receive a call, MDH will send an online survey to every individual testing positive in order to gather some basic information. The survey will not be as extensive as a telephone interview. 
  • MDH will also send information on what to do if you have tested positive, including how to reach out to people with whom you may have had close contact.

1. Stay home 

Beginning with the last day you were exposed, stay home for 14 days. Do not go to work, school, or childcare. Avoid ALL public places for 14 days.

2. Self Monitor 

Watch for:

  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • any new symptoms

3. Get tested 

  • If you show symptoms, get tested immediately.
  • If you do not show symptoms, get tested five days or more after exposure.

If your test is negative

And you’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19: 

If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 (an exposure), you need to stay home and away from others (quarantine). 

  • COVID-19 can take up to 14 days to make you sick, and some people with COVID-19 never feel sick, so you need to separate yourself from others so you don’t spread the virus without knowing it. 
  • The safest option is to stay home and away from others for 14 days. In certain situations, you may end your quarantine after 10 days, or after seven days with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (not antibody/blood or antigen). You cannot end your quarantine before seven days for any reason. 

And you have symptoms: 

Talk to your doctor and follow their advice. If there is not another diagnosis, you should still stay away from work, school, and other public places until you’re feeling better and have no fever. Symptoms of COVID-19 can be similar to other illnesses, like flu, and the risk of spreading these illnesses to others in your community can be high. 

And you do not have symptoms: 

Continue to protect yourself by using social distancing and frequent hand-washing, and by wearing a mask when you’re out in public. Get tested again if you develop symptoms or have contact with someone with COVID-19.

What to do if you test positive

*IMPORTANT NOTE: The Minnesota Department of Health is working on Olmsted County's COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.

  • Not all individuals testing positive will get a call from MDH. 
  • MDH will focus on calling those under 18 years old, vaccine breakthrough cases, those with emerging variants of interest, and people who have had contact with individuals who are hospitalized or deceased.
  • While all individuals may not receive a call, MDH will send an online survey to every individual testing positive in order to gather some basic information. The survey will not be as extensive as a telephone interview. 
  • MDH will also send information on what to do if you have tested positive, including how to reach out to people with whom you may have had close contact.

Cases are asked to personally notify anyone they have had close contact with about their positive test result and direct their contacts to quarantine and follow the recommendations. This notification should be shared with any person you had contact with while they had symptoms AND during the 48 hours before symptoms developed or testing positive for COVID-19 if no symptoms.

1. Stay home and isolate immediately

  • Separate yourself from others inside your home, including animals, as much as possible.
  • Do not go to work, school, or other public areas.
  • Avoid using public transportation.
  • Restrict activities outside of your home, except to get medical care.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If you can't wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Rub hands together until dry. Manage your COVID-19 symptoms at home 

A person with COVID-19 is considered to be contagious starting from 2 days before they became sick (or 2 days before they tested positive if they never had symptoms) until all three of these things are true:

  • You feel better and
  • Your cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better and
  • It has been 10 days since you first felt sick and You have had no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers fevers.

2. Let others know you are positive

  • Figure out the calendar date of two days before your first symptoms. (For example, if your headache/fever started December 5, then write down the date December 3.)
  • Write down everyone that you had contact with between the date you wrote down and now.
  • Call these people and let them know you are COVID positive.
  • Tell your employer, school, or child care center about your diagnosis, even if you didn't personally go to these places. (Someone in your household could be COVID-19 positive and not know it.)
  • You can anonymously tell your close contacts by visiting TellYourContacts.org to send a text or email to those who need to know. 

3.  Avoid other people, even those in your household

  • If you have to be around other people or pets, such as sharing a room or vehicle, or before entering a health care provider's office, wear a face covering or mask.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw away in a lined trashcan. Wash hands thoroughly afterward. Soap and water are best.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items like dishes and glasses, or bedding.
  • Clean all "high touch" surfaces every day, such as counters, tables, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, phones, and keyboards.

4. Seek help if you need it

  • If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Notify dispatch that you have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Monitor your symptoms at home and call before visiting your doctor.  If you have an appointment, please tell them you have tested positive for COVID-19.
  • In general, people can stop isolating 10 days after their symptoms started if they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours and their symptoms are improving. The last day for isolation for someone who never had symptoms is 10 days after their positive test. 

5. Your isolation is over when

You and those in your household who are COVID-19 positive have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, WITHOUT using medicine that reduces fevers.

AND

Your other symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

AND

At least 10 days have passed since you first had symptoms

OR

if you have never had symptoms, the last day of isolation is 10 days after your positive test.

When your organization has a positive case

Keep in mind

A close contact is anyone who was within 6 feet of the positive person for 15 minutes or longer over a 24-hour period. This includes cumulative time. (For example: "Employee A" had three separate interactions, each five minutes long with "Employee B" who was infectious during a shift. Thus, "Employee A" is a close contact.) 

If this is a medical emergency, call 911.

1. Be Transparent 

Make staff aware of what has happened and what is being done to protect them. This may include policy changes, modifications of work assignments, virtual meetings, and additional disinfection among others. (Do NOT disclose the names of anyone who has tested positive.)

2. Remain diligent - allow infected staff to stay home 

All individuals who are positive need to isolate at home for 10 days from the start of symptoms.

If they do not have symptoms, it will be 10 days from their positive test.

COVID positive individuals must stay home until all three of these things are true:

  1. The person feels better (the case’s cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better) and
  2. It has been 10 days since the person first felt sick, and
  3. The person has no fever for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers fevers.

3. Conduct an internal contact tracing investigation 

Interview the positive individual to determine who were their close contacts

4. Tell close contacts to self-quarantine 14 days 

Close contacts should be told to self-quarantine for 14 days even if they test negative anytime during the quarantine. A negative test result DOES NOT mean come back to work.

The safest option for close contacts is to stay home (including work, school, activities) and away from others for 14 days. In certain situations, close contacts may end their quarantine after 10 days, or after seven days with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result (not antibody/blood or antigen). Close contact’s quarantine cannot end before seven days for any reason.

Close contacts MUST complete quarantine, negative result or not.

5. For more information 

Replacing Vaccine Card

Many people received a COVID-19 vaccine card when they received their vaccination. Some did not get a card and others have lost, misplaced, or forgotten to enter the information needed. Individuals who need complete and official proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations have a couple of options:

  • If you received your vaccine at a provider or pharmacy, contact the provider directly or use your patient portal and ask to have a copy of your vaccine record emailed, mailed to you, or available for pick up from your provider.
  • If you received your vaccine at any provider in Minnesota, use the link to request a copy of your vaccine record from MIIC (Minnesota Immunization Information Connection). This may take 28 business days to process.
  • The Minnesota Department of Health has also released the Docket, a free app available for download in Apple and Android app stores, enabling residents to securely view and share their immunization records.