Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates: April 24, 2020

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 04/24/2020 05:15 PM CDT

April 24, 2020

Minnesota News and Outreach

Minnesota's New Testing and Symptom Tools

As part of the state’s effort to provide widespread, rapid COVID-19 testing, Governor Walz unveiled a new website: If You Are Sick. The website offers general information related to COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if sick, provides an interactive screening tool to help Minnesotans determine if they need a test, and includes a map to easily find testing locations.

Distance Learning and Other Executive Orders

Yesterday, Governor Walz extended distance learning through the end of the school year, announced a plan for up to 100,000 workers to safely return to their jobs, and explained the different factors determining the gradual re-opening of society in Minnesota. For more information, see Governor Walz Outlines Next Steps in COVID-19 Response in Minnesota.

Learn more about the most recent Executive Orders from Governor Walz:

Authorizing and Directing the Commissioner of Education to Extend the Distance Learning Period and Continue to Provide a Safe Learning Environment for Minnesota’s Students
Allowing Workers in Certain Non-Critical Sectors to Return to Safe Workplaces
Providing Administrative Flexibility to the Department of Human Rights

Homemade Mask Drive Reminder

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan launched a statewide homemade mask drive to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation and highlight the importance of workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tomorrow, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear.

Visit Minnesota Homemade Mask Drive for more information.

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

Ramadan 2020 and COVID-19

The month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar is a time of prayer, reflection, and fasting. Ramadan is marked by social and religious gatherings during which Muslim families and friends unite to break their fast together, at sunset during Iftar or before dawn during Suhour. Many Muslims increase their attendance at mosques during the month and congregate for longer prayers, especially at night. This year Ramadan begins on April 24 and ends on May 23. It is followed by the Eid al-Fitr festival on May 24.

After consulting with imams from across Minnesota, we strongly recommend that mosques cancel all social and religious gatherings and that Muslim families and friends adjust their social and religious gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This virus is highly contagious and can lead to serious health complications or even death. We all play a role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. We hope you will help slow the spread.

For more information and recommendations for observing Ramadan while slowing the spread, visit Ramadan 2020 and COVID-19 (PDF).

Cleaning and Disinfecting for Schools and Child Care

New information on cleaning and disinfecting guidance, precautions, products, and frequently asked questions for schools, institutes of higher education, and child care programs:

COVID-19 Public Hotline

Questions about COVID-19?

Health questions:
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Schools and child care questions:
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.