Fillmore County Public Health Official Statement
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed two positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Fillmore County. These cases include one Fillmore County resident in their 20s and one in their 60s who where likely exposed through contact from travel outside of the United States.
These patients are in isolation at home and recovering. Fillmore County Public Health is working with MDH and health care partners to address needs of these patients and provide guidance to others who may have contact with them.
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza is spread. It can also spread when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Fillmore County Public Health would like to stress again the importance of continuing to do the things that can limit the spread of the coronavirus:
- Stay home and away from others if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissue
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water
- Avoid touching your face.
More information about coronavirus is available website at www.health.state.mn.us. The MDH public hotline at 1-800-657-3903 is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Fillmore County COVID-19 hotline for media and the public is available Monday thru Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. This number is 507-765-2642.
LARRY says
Great comment
Philip Rutter says
Good information – but not enough. We’re past the point in the pandemic where we want to be “protecting privacy” – there really is no purpose to keeping these cases totally anonymous; and there are reasons for providing more information.
I’m not saying we need to give the patients’ names; but – it would be useful to us all to know: where did these two folks work? Since others at those locations might now be infectious. So we can avoid unnecessary contacts. And, since we think they got the germs while traveling abroad; where had they been traveling?
Eventually, it would be useful to the community for the media to ask the patients: “May we have your permission to publish your name?” That could save lives. You may still want to go and visit their home- but it will help to know whether you should be bringing a mask along… and whether to bring Grandma.
Anonymous says
Yes I total agreed ,Family should no when they lose family. How come should we not no,, Who is it, if they died,And please push more for people to stay home….PLEASE PMiller