COVID-19 Updates: January 27, 2021

View this as a webpage Minnesota Department of Health January 27, 2021 Minnesota News and Outreach Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program Minnesota is now using a random selection process for appointments at our pilot community vaccination sites. These pilot sites will initially serve adults 65 years of age or older and prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff, and child care workers. Pre-registration for this week is now complete. Everyone who registered last week was automatically pre-registered for the chance to be randomly selected for an appointment this week or in the coming weeks.  If you pre-registered and are randomly selected for an appointment this week, you should have been notified via text, email, or call this morning (Jan. 27). If you were notified, please follow the instructions and make your appointment as soon as possible. For more information, visit: Find My Vaccine Vaccine Clinic Pilot Program Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 variants found in Minnesota The MDH Public Health Laboratory found the variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus known as the Brazil P.1 variant in a specimen from a Minnesota resident with recent travel history to Brazil. This case marks the first documented instance of the Brazil P.1 variant in the United States. A total of eight UK variant cases now have been identified in Minnesota, although more are suspected to exist. Early indications are that new variants may spread more easily, but there is no sign yet that they are any different in terms of how sick people can get and how they affect any particular person. Continue to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is important to wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, avoid gatherings, wash your hands often, and stay home if you feel sick or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Read the news release at MDH lab testing confirms nation's first known COVID-19 case associated with Brazil P.1 variant or learn more at About COVID-19: COVID-19 variants. Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Materials We are adding new videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources. Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response Videos for COVID-19 Response The situation is changing rapidly. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up-to-date information and follow MDH on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to stay informed. What's New COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit The new COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit is designed to help community and faith-based organizations educate communities about COVID-19 vaccine. Please note that as more information about COVID-19 vaccines becomes available, the resources on this page may be updated. Use these key messages when communicating with your community to help combat misinformation. Print copies of the materials and use them as handouts. Invite community members to post after-vaccination selfies on social media. Adapt the key messages to the language, tone, and format that will resonate with your community. YOU know what works in your community. Online case investigation survey We launched a new, online survey for COVID-19 case investigation as part of an effort to make this public health strategy more efficient for Minnesotans contacted about COVID-19 cases. Case investigation is the process to determine close contacts of someone who tested positive for COVID-19. It's the first step when someone tests positive; contact tracing can't happen until a case investigation is complete. The typical case investigation process involves public health workers calling someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, but contacting people by phone isn't always the quickest or easiest method. Minnesotans who test positive and gave a cell phone number when they got tested will get a text message. By responding to the text with an email address, people who test positive for COVID-19 can complete the online survey without needing to wait for a call from public health workers. Both the texts and the survey itself will be available in multiple languages to reach as many Minnesotans as possible. For more information on the case investigation and contact tracing process, visit Contact Tracing COVID-19. MNRAP coming soon MDH will soon launch the Minnesota Resource Allocation Platform (MNRAP). MNRAP is an online tool that connects patients and health care providers with COVID-19 medications that are in limited supply. If you are sick with COVID-19, there is medicine using monoclonal antibodies that can help you get better faster. These medications need to be taken in the first 10 days of getting sick, and they seem to work better the earlier they are given. People should get tested as soon as they feel sick so they can get monoclonal antibodies as soon as possible, if they are eligible. Contact your health care provider to discuss whether COVID-19 medications may be an option for you. Learn more at Monoclonal Antibody Treatment: Frequently Asked Questions. MNRAP helps COVID-19 patients, their caregivers, or their health care providers find out which medications are available, if they're right for the person with COVID-19, and where to get them.  People who are sick with COVID-19 will fill out an online screening form to see if they able to get monoclonal antibodies, if some is available. The screening form takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is expected to open in the next few weeks. As new COVID-19 drugs come out, MNRAP will also manage their use. Guidance and Resources NEW: COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit COVID-19 Vaccine Key Messages (PDF) COVID-19 Vaccine Basics (PDF) Information about COVID-19 Vaccination in Long-term Care Facilities (PDF) Long-term Care Guidance for Non-medically Necessary Outings About COVID-19 Home Tests COVID-19 Community Engagement Webinars UPDATED: About COVID-19 Vaccine COVID-19 Vaccine Phases and Planning COVID-19 Vaccine Providers Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Advisory Group Minnesota Guidance for Allocating and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine – Phase 1a (PDF) COVID-19 Testing Contact Tracing COVID-19 About COVID-19: COVID-19 variants Protect Yourself & Others: Traveling Gathering Requirements for Celebrations and Significant Life Events (PDF) Indoor Air Considerations: COVID-19 What to do if you have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 (PDF) What To Do When Notified of a Lab-Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Child Care Settings or Youth Programs (PDF) Handling a Suspected or Confirmed Positive Case of COVID-19: Information for Schools (PDF) Recommendations for Different Levels of COVID-19 Transmission Among Higher Education Institutions (PDF) COVID-19 Public Pools under Executive Order 21-01 (PDF) COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Requirements for Restaurants and Bars (PDF) Waivers and Modifications Hospital Alerting for Syndromic Surveillance: COVID-19/SAR-CoV-2 NOTE: As new Executive Orders and recommendations are issued, we will review and update the guidance and resources on our website accordingly. Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links to know when the resource was last revised. Minnesota Helpline For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Minnesota Department of Health  |  health.mn.gov Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help

You can update or cancel your subscription at any time by editing your personal profile. All you will need are your email address and your password (if you have selected one).

P.S. If you have any questions or problems please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance. 

STAY CONNECTED:
	MDH on Twitter			MDH on Facebook			MDH on LinkedIn

---

This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Health · 625 Robert Street North · St. Paul MN 55155 · 651-201-5000