Minnesota leaders announced Monday that it can now test for COVID-19 instead of sending samples to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The leaders from the Legislature and the Department of Health (DOH) encouraged the general public to stay calm.
There are no confirmed cases in the state, as of Monday, DOH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said.
“As of now, we have the capability to do testing for COVID-19 in Minnesota, which will be very helpful to our efforts to quickly detect, and then quickly manage these infections, should they show up here,” Malcolm said.
Five patient samples in Minnesota were sent to the CDC and came back negative, Gov. Tim Walz said.
“Preparation is not panic. Preparation is the right thing to do,” Walz said, adding that the virus will eventually enter Minnesota. “Preparation is the way we are able to contain it, that we are able to keep the numbers lower, that we’re able to make sure our healthcare system is able to respond to that.”
COVID-19 symptoms are similar to influenza and respiratory disease, Malcolm said, adding that the CDC will give guidance on which symptoms are tested.
Malcolm said that in the state Washington, they’re finding more cases as they increase testing.
“There’s actually a bit of a silver lining in that. … What that suggests is the majority of the cases are mild, but we all owe it to the vulnerable folks in our state and in our communities to do what we can do to prevent the spread of this disease,” Malcolm said.
She said that Minnesota will remain in contact with the CDC for travel recommendations as spring break approaches.
“For the general public, the risk remains low today,” Malcolm said. “But for at-risk populations, under certain circumstances, the risk is quite a bit higher. We’re not seeing today the need for people to cancel regular travel plans domestically. That could change.”
The state currently has the capability to test up to 100 people per day and has 400 kits.
“We’re calm, we’re focused, and we have a plan,” Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, said. “It hasn’t happened in Minnesota yet. We do expect it to come our way and we’re ready for it, and we know what to do each step of the way.”
A briefing is scheduled for the House and Human Services Finance committee on Wednesday to determine short and long-term budgetary needs.
Walz said they plan to spend money from the general fund, which could be repaid from federal funding.
So far, six people have died from COVID-19 in the United States.
Officials emphasized precautions to reduce illnesses:
- Cover your cough in the crook of your arm.
- Wash your hands more frequently and thoroughly.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Prepare a plan to care for vulnerable family members.
