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Latest MN Covid-19 Data
Deaths: 70
Positive cases: 1,650
No longer Isolated: 842
In hospital: 157
ICU: 74
Total tests: 38,427
Deaths: 70
Positive cases: 1,650
No longer Isolated: 842
In hospital: 157
ICU: 74
Total tests: 38,427
NEW: MN Gov @GovTimWalz signs executive order extending peacetime emergency for 30 days, until May 13.
It gives MN Governor extraordinary powers for managing a public health emergency, like his Stay At Home order.
It gives MN Governor extraordinary powers for managing a public health emergency, like his Stay At Home order.
Walz: There is every reason to be optimistic, but I caution MN that covid-19 has not yet arrived in MN in full force.
Gov Walz has asked state officials to build a new budget by May that will reflect the deep economic disruption MN is experiencing.
Walz says MN traffic levels have dropped sharply since Stay At Home order, but law enforcement are now confronting high-speed drivers and more traffic deaths.
Walz says MN economy cannot re-start until there is widespread testing, contact tracing and isolation. Says he is consulting regional governors.
"We are not testing nearly widely enough," says Walz, who again calls for more national action for PPE supplies.
Health Dept says Personal Care Assistants (PCAs) should be allowed to accompany clients to appointments, including medical appointments.
Dept of Employment & Economic Development: 428,223 people have applied for unemployment benefits since March 16. It's a huge number, but starting to level off.
Here's where to apply for unemployment benefits: http://uimn.org
NEW: MN Gov Walz and all 24 Cabinet officers will take a 10% pay cut for the rest of 2020.
Starting today: Metro Mobility will provide free, direct, on-demand transportation for all MN health care workers from home to work, 24/7.
Metro Mobility is already delivering groceries to homes of its clients.
Gov Walz says he supports bars and restaurants offering curbside take-out alcohol, will ask MN legislature to pass a bill tomorrow and he will sign it.
Walz says he is asking MNLeg to pass curbside alcohol because if he enacts it through executive order there may be legal challenges.
Gov Walz "can't say a date" when MN economy will re-open, says it is up to spread of virus and success of social distancing.
MN Republicans are questioning Gov Walz extending peacetime emergency until May 13, and Stay At Home orders. "Yes, we all want to open up tomorrow, but people will die if we do that," Walz says.
Gov Walz defends Stay At Home order, says social distancing is working. If economy opens up too quickly Walz says the virus will flare up again and he'll be forced to shut it all down again.
Health Dept says it is working on procedures for testing, including who will get priority, including sick people in congregate settings and dialysis patients.
Gov Walz says Minnesota needs to test 40,000 people a week, at least 5,000 people a day. No capacity to do that now. "This is a broken system across the country," he says.
Walz says he wants to ramp up testing quickly, "in the next few weeks". "It's a heavy lift."
MN Gov Walz on President Trump, who says he-- and not Governors-- has the power to open the economy: "Being on the ground, seeing what I am seeing, I will continue in my lane. We will open when it is safe to open. When it makes sense."
"I just hope the President is willing to work with us and not make an arbitrary decision that goes against the best advice of the health experts and businesses on the ground here."
Walz says state officials are studying more targeted and more narrow Stay At Home order, but widespread testing is what will determine when/how.
Walz says it is not practical to sepct MN to shelter in place for months, wishes the fed govt would activate Defense Production Act to make testing kits, PPE.
MN Gov Walz again says he is working with regional governors to form a Midwest group to purchase, manufacture supplies.
Walz walking a fine political line: Says he's trying to work cooperatively with Trump administration, but if it was against all the advice of health care experts to open up Minnesota, then he would do what he thinks is in the best interest of public health.
MN Gov Walz: Still no decision on whether golf or boating or fishing will be restricted. "Working on it."
Governor offers condolences for mother of Karl-Anthony Townes, whose mother died of complications from coronavirus. Says the same sorrow is happening in families all across Minnesota.
Governor offers support for journalists who have been laid off or furloughed in the economic crisis, says the information local media are reporting is critical to beating the pandemic.
END OF MINNESOTA GOVERNOR COVID-19 UPDTATE 4/13/2020
