SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 – Fall is here! New school year, changing weather, more time indoors . . . all bring new challenges for the risk of COVID.

Pediatrician Kelly Meyer, DO, FAAP gives tips on staying healthy – and in good spirits – with the change of season.

The number of COVID cases in Minnesota has stayed fairly stable through the summer. With the shift in seasons, health experts expect to see an increase in cases. It’s hard to know when, or how it will take shape. So it’s important to maintain healthy habits.  

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 -- It's almost school time! Pediatrician Todd Amunrud, DO offers COVID safety tips for school and daycare:

Prevention is key. Masks, cleaning, and physical distance are all important to prevent spread of virus. Keep a high standard for these habits. Be firm and diligent.

Masks for everyone over 2 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends masks for all kids 2+ anytime they’re not in their own home. In general, there is no health condition that prevents a person from wearing a mask.

Sept. 1, 2020 – University of Minnesota offers “I CAN Prevent Diabetes,” a 17-week diabetes prevention program starting Sept. 16. Sessions are held via Zoom videoconference. The series is free.

Learn how to create a healthier lifestyle and prevent diabetes in this 16-week diabetes prevention program. Groups will meet with a trained lifestyle coach once a week to help participants lose weight, eat healthier, and increase physical activity.

AUGUST 24, 2020 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics is working on plans to allow some visitors to the Long Term Care Center. The LTCC has been closed to visitors since March 13, 2020 to protect residents from COVID-19, in accordance with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

New guidelines from MDH will allow skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota to begin loosening visitor restrictions, starting Aug. 29. Visitor policies are at the discretion of each facility, based on their own conditions.

JULY 6, 2020 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics expands COVID testing to include asymptomatic people (no symptoms) who have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID.

Exposure is being within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes without a mask to a person who has tested positive for COVID.

JUNE 25, 2020 – If parents get too sick to care for their children, it helps to have a plan in place.

Planning ahead for possible emergencies is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. One key priority is knowing what to do if a parent or guardian becomes sick or hospitalized due to the virus.

Dr. Jennifer Fischer and Dr. Katherine Helgen answer your questions about caring for your health in the era of COVID.

Learn more: bit.ly/nhc-care-during-covid

MAY 28, 2020 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics reopens its Lakeville Clinic on Monday, June 1 for primary and specialty care.

Providers in Lakeville – plus NH+C’s Northfield, Farmington and Faribault clinics – return to their regular schedules on June 1, including evening hours.

Plans are being made to reopen the Lonsdale Clinic later in June. For now, Urgent Care in Lakeville and Express Care Clinic in Northfield remain closed.

All NH+C clinics are taking precautions for the safety of patients and staff.

MAY 27, 2020 – Northfield Hospital + Clinics is reopening its Faribault Clinic for Orthopedics and
ENT (ear, nose and throat) care. Plus: Mac is back.

The Faribault Clinic also welcomes Dr. David McIntyre, a family medicine doctor and Faribault
native now seeing patients in NH+C’s Faribault Clinic. Dr. McIntyre continues to see patients in
the Northfield Clinic, too.

MAY 18, 2020 -- As the state of Minnesota loosens Stay at Home restrictions and allows some businesses to reopen, NH+C's precautions will stay in place.