Minnesotans who are not severely ill should stay home while they recover

MARCH 17, 2020 – Due to concerns about availability of COVID-19 test kits and capacity in Minnesota, hospitals and health systems including NH+C are taking action to conserve testing resources to those in need. This conforms with Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) new guidelines released today to focus on testing for the highest-priority individuals:

• hospitalized patients needing acute care
• health care workers
• people who live in congregate settings such as long-term care

  If symptoms are mild and can be managed at home, in many cases no testing will take place.  The best thing you can do to protect you and your family from COVID-19 at this time is to stay home.  Do not seek COVID-19 testing at this time if you have mild symptoms. You should only seek medical attention if you have severe symptoms like difficulty breathing. If this occurs, call your health care provider (or if it’s a life-threatening emergency call 911). If you have any questions about whether or not you should be seen, always call your health care provider first.  Source: Hennepin Health

Based on MDH’s new guidance on March 17, NH+C advises:

• Patients with undiagnosed fever cough, shortness of breath should ALL self-quarantine for 7 days after they first become ill – or for 72 hours after symptoms improve and they are fever-free without medications – whichever is longer
• Seek care if symptoms become severe. CALL ahead to your healthcare provider or Emergency Department. (Northfield Hospital Emergency Department: 507-646-1100)
• Anyone with symptoms should isolate themselves from household members and intimate contacts
• Household members and intimate contacts should limit their own activities in public for 14 days, and monitor for symptoms

“If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, assume you are positive and stay home, and call your clinic,” said Dr. Rahul Koranne, president and CEO of the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA). “We all have a critical role to flatten the curve of the virus and to conserve hospital and health care system capacity for the acutely ill.”

If you are concerned about your symptoms, call your provider. You may be asked to isolate at home and monitor your symptoms. Older adults and those with severe underlying health conditions should call their provider for any additional recommendations.

Based on your symptoms, you may not need to come to a hospital or clinic. Hospital care needs to be preserved for those who are acutely ill. Patients should not visit the hospital Emergency Department unless they are experiencing an emergency situation. Your provider can help you determine if you should come in.

If you develop severe symptoms, CALL your provider or Emergency Department to discuss your condition and determine the best location and action to care for you.

If you think you may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, stay home for 14 days and monitor for symptoms: fever over 100.4, cough, labored breathing.

MDH contacts individuals who may have been in contact with a confirmed case. If there is a case detected within your circle of friends, family, acquaintances, MDH will contact you.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza spreads. It can also spread when people touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

More information: MDH Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) website

MDH’s COVID-19 public hotline (7 am - 7 pm): 651-201-3920