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Kelly Chandler: Free Covid-19 Drive Thru Tests at Itasca County Fairgrounds Wednesday 9/23

Today on the Tuesday Morning Show KAXE/KBXE News Director Heidi Holtan talked with Itasca County Public Health Department Manager Kelly Chandler about the growing numbers of COVID-19 in Itasca County and the Free Drive Thru testing on Wednesday September 23rd.  It's part of the MN Department of Health's "No Barrier" testing in the state- you don't need to have symptoms or insurance to get this free test. 

 

ITASCA COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

          ITASCA RESOURCE CENTER

          1209 SE 2nd Avenue, Grand Rapids, Minnesota 55744-3983

          Hearing Impaired Number TDD: 218-327-5549

         (218) 327-2941

     Visit us at: www.co.itasca.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ITASCA COUNTY TO BE SITE OF SEPT. 23 DRIVE-THROUGH COVID TESTING

(Grand Rapids, Minn., September 17, 2020) – Itasca area residents continue to fight the spread of COVID-19 in area communities.  Over the past week (since Sept. 10), 37 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified among Itasca residents.  Since last reported three days ago (on Sept. 14), 14 additional cases have been confirmed. 

Key to understanding recent spread, Itasca County has calculated the most current 14-day infection rate of positive cases per 10,000 residents as 9.9.  This custom analysis is provided by Itasca County Public Health as one of several factors considered by local schools as they work to deliver services safely.   

“For those watching numbers closely, we acknowledge that the data can be confusing,” said Kelly Chandler, Itasca County Public Health department manager.  “In the case of 14-day trends, we are reporting based on the day the test was taken (also known as specimen collection).  This is different than when we report case numbers, which we report by the day we receive notice of positive confirmation.

“What’s most important to know is that Itasca County could go either way right now – every effort to contain the coronavirus matters so that we can keep our businesses open, our schools with options, and our friends and families safe.”

In an effort to interrupt community spread of COVID-19, Itasca County agencies have teamed up with the Minnesota National Guard, State of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota to conduct a one-day testing event in Grand Rapids on Sept. 23, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Itasca County Fairgrounds.  It will be a drive-through process, entering the fairgrounds at the northwest gate (next to the animal barns).    

Registration is not required, but will speed up your experience at the testing site.  Go to https://www+.primarybio.com/r/itasca to register for an appointment time.  If you are not able to sign up online, or need a translator, call 1-855-612-0677.

Any person is welcome to be tested, including those who are asymptomatic (without symptoms) but have reason to think they should be tested.  There is no cost and no IDs or insurance are required.  Testing will be done with a nasal swab and processed either by Mayo Clinic Laboratories or the University of Minnesota, with results back in a few days.

“This broad testing is a unique opportunity for individuals to get useful information, as well as for communities to better understand how the pandemic is playing out here in Itasca County,” said Chandler.  “This is a push we need right now. 

“While many who contract COVID-19 may experience mild or even no symptoms, some suffer life-threatening complications.  All who contract the virus are contagious.  Being able to test more people will help us to understand what’s really happening in Itasca County and inform how we approach prevention going into winter and fall.”

The Itasca event is part of a four-week, statewide testing initiative beginning Sept. 21 in Winona. 

“This effort will provide a bridge until mid-October, when Minnesotans will have additional access to testing through the opening of semi-permanent saliva testing locations,” said Dan Huff, Minnesota Department of Health Assistant Commissioner for Health Protection.

“We are grateful to the Minnesota National Guard, especially those from our local communities, who have been activated to support Minnesotans,” said Chandler.  “The Guard has been critical in the testing of long-term care facilities here and throughout the state.  They know as well as anyone how important our communities’ efforts to combat COVID-19 are.”

Itasca residents with questions or concerns may leave them at the Itasca County COVID message line, with calls returned 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. The Itasca COVID line number is 218-327-6784.

Helpful links:

Decision tree for people in schools, youth and child care programs - https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/exguide.pdf

MN Stay Safe Plan  - https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/stay-safe-mn/stay-safe-plan.jsp

MN Business and Employer COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Overview and Template - https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businessesplan.html

MN Guidelines on when to return to work (after symptoms, exposure of diagnosis of COVID-19) - https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/returntowork.pdf

CDC Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces (Plan, Prepare, and Respond) - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html

Department of Labor Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Information- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/ffcra

FFCRA Workplace Poster - https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pd

Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) (some resources available for non-members) – http://www.shrm.org

 

 

 

Heidi Holtan is KAXE's Director of Content and Public Affairs where she manages producers and is the local host of Morning Edition from NPR. Heidi is a regional correspondent for WDSE/WRPT's Duluth Public Television’s Almanac North.