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MN Latest Covid-19 Numbers
Deaths: 179
Confirmed cases: 2,721
Hospitalized: 240
ICU: 107
No longer isolated: 1,317
Total tests: 49,344
Deaths: 179
Confirmed cases: 2,721
Hospitalized: 240
ICU: 107
No longer isolated: 1,317
Total tests: 49,344
Gov Walz says MN will sharply ramp up testing for all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases, and will create contact tracing plan.
Walz says MN plan will enable the state to conduct more virus testing than anywhere in the US.
Important focus will be large businesses, congregate living facilities, jails and prisons. Describes them as "incredibly dangerous places" for virus to thrive.
Testing strategy: Priority testing for symptomatic patients.
Fastest possible turnaround.
Fastest possible turnaround.
State officials say widespread testing will allow much better surveillance and containment of virus.
Testing will be done statewide, including labs and hospitals.
Commitment that test will be free to all Minnesotans.
Commitment that test will be free to all Minnesotans.
When test is positive, Health Dept says it will launch contact tracing, isolation and quarantine.
Mayo Clinic and U of M will collaborate to create:
Central Lab
Virtual Command Center
Shared Analytics and Research
Central Lab
Virtual Command Center
Shared Analytics and Research
Health Dept: Testing priorities will include: communities of color, health care workers, staff at congregate living facilities, day care workers.
Health Dept: It will take several weeks to have entire
testing program in place. "We're going to do this together."
testing program in place. "We're going to do this together."
University of Minnesota Medical School Dean Dr. Jakob Tolar: "This is a good day. This is a glorious day. This is a day for the ages."
Dr. Tolar decries national controversy, social media, debates over pandemic. Praises Minnesota: "We will follow science." Says helping the state is the most basic duty of a land grant institution like the U of M. "This is personal."
PS: Dr Tolar wearing a maroon and gold tie, carrying a maroon and gold face mask.
Dr. William Morice II, President of Mayo Clinic Laboratories: Mayo pledges to expand its testing statewide, work to solve persistent supply problems like lack of testing swabs.
Side Note: Mayo Clinic's international reputation gives it extra leverage and influence with drug laboratories, suppliers.
Andrea Walsh, HealthPartners President & CEO: Social distancing is working. Now testing, tracing is next step.
Dr. Mike Osterholm, U of M Center for Infectious Diseases: Minnesota may not want to hear this, but "We are in the very first innings of this game. this is not going to be over anytime soon." "Please take this seriously."
Osterholm, who does not offer many compliments: "This is as good a response as any state I've seen.... understand we are going to have hard days ahead. We have to hang together."
We've been told If you need a test you can get a test.
Who should Minnesotans hold accountable if that doesn't happen?
Governor Walz: "Me."
Who should Minnesotans hold accountable if that doesn't happen?
Governor Walz: "Me."
HealthPartners says it is working to set up statewide testing sites, collections and quick turnaround at laboratories.
Mayo: Working on ability to move testing quickly to hotspots around the state when they happen, and return results ASAP.
Mayo: We have logistical ability to turn around most of the testing within 24 hours. We understand how important it is for every family to know.
Osterholm: "It's the wild wild west of testing out there", says the FDA may have approved too many tests too quickly. Some had large % of false negatives/false positives.
It may take days or a couple weeks to get entire testing system up and running full speed, acc to HealthPartners. If you have symptoms, call your doctor/health care clinic.
Gov Walz says he personally described MN new testing plan to President Trump in a phone call Saturday night, and President approved.
MN Gov says testing is critical before he lifts Stay At Home order. Order is in place until May 4.
Walz on US states considering re-opening: It's a mistake for states to open up without testing. "You're going to open spas, bowling alleys, massage parlors and bowling alleys? We're going to learn a lot in the next week what that's going to do."
State officials say it will test every employee at Worthington JBS processing plant. Setting up at Nobles County fairground. More than 500 tested so far.
Walz calls new plan a "moon shot": "The ship is on the launch pad today."
END OF MINNESOTA GOVERNOR COVID-19 UPDATE 4/22/2020
