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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-910-9111
Hennepin County has delivered more than 1 million masks to Hennepin County residents as it continues to fight the spread of COVID-19.
This week, Hennepin County surpassed 45,000 total cases of COVID-19 that have resulted in more than 1,000 deaths. As case numbers and deaths continue increasing, public health officials urge people to continue taking precautions we know help slow the spread of the virus,
“Every day we learn more about the virus and learn more about what we don’t know,” said Hennepin County Public Health Department Director Susan Palchick. “But we have learned a lot about prevention.” The combination of wearing masks and staying at least six feet apart is helpful in reducing the spread of COVID-19, she said.
“There are layers of protection, and the combination of wearing masks, distancing and maintaining good ventilation or gathering outside are important, powerful ways to reduce risk,” Palchick said. “There is no magic bullet, but a combination of these tools can help prevent spread.”
Hennepin County heard early on in the pandemic from community groups representing populations most impacted by COVID-19 about the need for masks. Utilizing the county’s COVID response teams with purchasing and logistics expertise, and the community connections from county engagement staff, $2.5 million Federal CARES Act dollars have been leveraged to purchase and distribute 1,351,629 masks to more than 80 groups and frontline county workers. The groups receiving masks for distribution serve populations at greater risk, such as elders, those with existing health problems and communities impacted by longstanding, systemic inequities that lead to health disparities.
In addition, Hennepin County continues to focus distribution in these areas:
- Congregate living communities – This includes high density living settings where COVID can easily spread, such as elder care facilities, high-rise apartments, dormitories or group homes
- Community events – This includes COVID-19 testing events, well-being clinics, food distribution sites, community celebrations or events
- Critical services – This includes schools, grocery stores, childcare centers, janitorial staff, industry unions, and frontline county employees
As the pandemic progresses, Hennepin County is using data to focus on geographic areas with the highest case rates and fastest case growth, in order to get masks to people who are at the greatest risk or who are not able to get masks on their own.
Additional cloth masks are available to distribute - at no cost - to people in the community through community-based organizations. If your organization would like to request masks to distribute, fill out this form to make your request today.
Hennepin county is hosting a walk up testing event today, November 14 – masks will be available:
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Hennepin County Human Services Center, 1001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
- No appointment needed; registration forms will be completed at the event prior to testing
- Interpreters available
More information about Hennepin County’s COVID-19 response is available at hennepin.us/covid-19, for information on testing events and locations, please visit hennepin.us/testing.
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