Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 02/12/2021 04:16 PM CST
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Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates

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Minnesota Department of Health

Feb. 12, 2021

The Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Update is being sent to the following three MDH mailing lists to reduce duplication:

  • Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates
  • MN Immigrant and Refugee Health Announcements
  • The Center for Health Equity

Today's COVID-19 updates include:

Status of COVID-19 in Minnesota

Updated Feb. 12, 2021

  • Total positive: 471,851
  • Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 457,359
  • Total approximate number of completed tests: 6,914,135
  • Deaths: 6362
    o Deaths among cases that resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities: 4,011
  • Total cases requiring hospitalization: 25,047
    o Total cases hospitalized in ICU: 5,176

Numbers are cumulative since Jan. 20, 2020.

The number of lab-confirmed positive tests among Minnesota residents will be updated daily on Situation Update for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with test results from the previous day. The page also includes a map of counties with confirmed cases, and more.

This total reflects only the results from laboratory testing. There are more cases in Minnesota, and the virus is circulating in communities. It is important for everyone to follow advice on community mitigation and social distancing to help us flatten the case curve.

Governor has launched a public dashboard which includes race data of cases: Minnesota COVID-19 Public Dashboard.

New & Updated Materials

Videos:

Translated Videos:

Flyer and pages

Upcoming Webinars

Welcoming America Webinar on Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Immigrant Communities

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 17

Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CST

While efforts to administer the COVID-19 vaccine are ramping up across the country there is a dramatic rise in misinformation being shared. As a result, many individuals and families are hesitant to receive the vaccine, and this is especially true in many immigrant communities.

You are invited to join this important conversation with a panel of distinguished speakers who will share:

  • Current information about the vaccine and its effectiveness.
  • Examples of how to use trusted community leaders and peers as sources of information.
  • Resources and tools that have proven successful to dispel misinformation and how you can repurpose them for your own communities.

Join via Zoom webinar registration or Welcoming America Facebook LIVE

Webinar to discuss worker rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 17

Time: 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) invites you to a monthly webinar to discuss worker rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will be an opportunity to hear from DLI leadership, as well as updates from other state agencies.  The webinar will include an extended question-and-answer session and an opportunity to learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting you and your members.

Please email questions or topics you’d like addressed to Dave Skovholt, DLI outreach coordinator, at david.skovholt@state.mn.us.

If you have questions about this webinar or future collaboration opportunities, please contact Naheeda Hirji-Walji, DLI’s director of public engagement, at naheeda.hirji-walji@state.mn.us.

Worker Rights and Responsibilities during COVID-19 webinar registration link

Join a conversation about COVID-19 with the MDH People with Disabilities Unit and Community Partners

MDH People with Disabilities Team will be hosting regular Zoom sessions in partnership with the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. At these sessions, MDH and others will give information on COVID-19-related efforts that impact persons with disabilities. This will be an opportunity to hear the latest information and share your input and questions.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 25

Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CST

Zoom registration link

Let's Talk Flyer

Past webinar: COVID-19 and the Legacy of Racism: Vaccine Hesitancy and Treatment Bias Webinar hosted by the National Institute for Health Care Management

Listen to the recorded webinar on COVID-19 and the Legacy of Racism: Vaccine Hesitancy and Treatment Bias to hear leading public health experts explore how to address the legacy of racism in health care and the impact of discrimination and bias on vaccine hesitancy, vaccine access and COVID-19 health outcomes. This was the third webinar in the series on "Stopping the Other Pandemic: Systemic Racism and Health."

Speakers discussed: 

  • The disproportionate burden of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Black, Hispanic and Native American communities 
  • The impact of vaccine hesitancy on Black and other communities with significant health disparities and the importance of effective communication and trusted messengers 
  • The history of how race-based treatment bias impacts care and health outcomes and the need to shift from focusing on mistrust to building trustworthiness
  • A health plan’s efforts to advance equity in public health and how addressing social determinants of health is critical to improving health and reduce longstanding disparities

Webinar and transcript are available on the COVID-19 and the Legacy of Racism page 
Registration is now open for the Feb. 22 webinar on the role of nurses as trusted messengers during the pandemic response.

View infographics: COVID-19 and the Legacy of Racism: Vaccine Hesitancy, Access and Uptake.

Other Updates

Somali COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group

Four COVID-19 Community Coordinators (CCCs) created a Somali COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group to help advise and coordinate vaccine rollout efforts in the Somali community. The group consists of Somali medical professionals, religious leaders, and other community members. 

The group is hosting weekly community forums to update the community on vaccine rollout efforts in the state and address community concerns. These forums will be live on multiple Somali media platforms and community members will be able to call in and ask their questions. Forums are broadcasted on Somali TV, Xogmaal Media and Kaly Radio every Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. CST for the next few weeks. 

For more information about the CCCs visit the COVID-19 Community Coordinators webpage

Upcoming Testing Events

COVID-19 Community Testing

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works in partnership with communities to provide safe and free on-site COVID-19 testing in areas with outbreaks, increasing cases, or other barriers to access existing test sites.

Newly listed: For more information visit the MDH COVID-19 Testing Site webpage

Albert Lea

Albert Lea Armory, 410 Prospect Ave
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 17-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Anoka

Anoka Armory, 408 East Main St
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 16-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Bloomington

Creekside Community Center
9801 Penn Ave South
Bloomington, MN 55431
Saliva
Feb. 12, 16-20
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Brooklyn Park

Starlite Center, 8085 Brooklyn Blvd
Saliva
7 days a week
Weekdays: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me
Former Office Max building next to the Panda Garden Buffet, just east of Jolly Lane.

Burnsville

Former Pier 1, 1501 County Rd 42 W
Saliva
Friday - Tuesday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Crookston

Crookston Armory, 1801 University Ave
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 17-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Duluth

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), 350 Harbor Drive, South Pioneer Hall
Saliva
Wednesday - Sunday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

People will enter the DECC parking lot through the east gate closest to the William A Irvin Museum Ship. They may park in the ramp, or make use of the DECC’s surface parking. They will enter the DECC facility through Door A, and proceed down a hallway to enter South Pioneer Hall.

Hibbing

Hibbing Armory, 2310 Brooklyn Dr
Saliva
Feb. 12, 17-20
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Hutchinson

Hutchinson Armory, 1200 Adams St SE
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 16-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Inver Grove Heights

Inver Grove Heights Armory, 8076 Babcock Trail
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 16-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

MSP Airport

Terminal 1, 4300 Glumack Dr. (follow signs to the testing site on Level 2 of the Blue Ramp)
Saint Paul
Saliva
7 days a week
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. every day
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Parking will be available for all seeking a COVID-19 test:

  • Drive to Terminal 1 and into the entry plaza for the parking ramps. Signs will guide you from the inbound roadway to the clinic location itself.
  • Follow signage to Level 2 in the Blue Ramp.
  • Walk to the centrally located elevator lobby and follow signs to the clinic.

Mankato

Former Gander Mountain, 1940 Adams Street
Saliva
Friday - Tuesday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. South
Saliva
7 days a week
Weekdays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Free parking will be available and marked in nearby surface lots and parking ramps. Enter on the west side of the building off 1st Avenue, then continue to exhibit room E.

Minneapolis

Columbia Manor (Columbia Golf Course), 3300 Central Ave. NE
Saliva
Thursdays, Feb. 18, 25
4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Minneapolis

Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway Ave.
Saliva
Saturday, Feb. 13 and 20
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
More info about testing from the Minneapolis Department of Health

Minneapolis

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Building, 1308 E Franklin Ave
Saliva
Tuesday, Feb. 16
3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Minneapolis

Saliva
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 N 10th Ave
Saturday, Feb. 27
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Moorhead

Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 S 14th Street
Saliva
Friday - Tuesday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Morris

Morris Armory, 722 Iowa Ave
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 17-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

St. Cloud

River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 Fourth Ave South
Saliva
Wednesday - Sunday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Parking in the west surface lot next to the Convention Center is available to those being tested. Look for the COVID-19 testing parking signs.

The COVID-19 community testing site at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud will be closed temporarily from February 22 through March 2 for a previously scheduled event. During this closure, we encourage residents to continue seeking out COVID-19 testing at alternate locations on this page or by using the Test at Home program.  

St. Paul

Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 175 W Kellogg Blvd
Saliva
7 days a week
Weekdays: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Free parking is available on the roof of the RiverCentre ramp. If that is full, metered parking is available in Rice Park.

Entrances:

  • Skyway from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, follow signs. Testing location is about a 5-minute walk.
  • Doors by the main RiverCentre sign at 175 W Kellogg Blvd, follow signs. Testing location is about a 3-minute walk.
  • Rice Park entrance on Washington Street near Herb Brooks statue, follow signs. Testing location is about a 2-minute walk.

The testing location is ADA accessible. There are ramps and changes to the floor grade. People with mobility challenges may find the Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park locations easier to navigate.

Stillwater

Stillwater Armory, 350 Maryknoll Dr N
Saliva
Feb. 16-20
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Wadena

Wadena Armory, 517 North Jefferson St
Saliva
Feb. 12-13, 17-19
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Winona

Winona Mall, 1213 Gilmore Ave
Saliva
Wednesday - Sunday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Testing is located in the back of the Winona Mall near the DMV (southwest corner), facing Highway 61. The entrance is on the outside of the mall.

Worthington

Worthington Event Center, 1477 Prairie Drive
Saliva
Thursday - Monday
Weekdays: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Reminders

Discrimination helpline

Discrimination Helpline

Report Discrimination and Bias

COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race, where you come from, your immigration status, or anything else. 

If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of discrimination or bias call Minnesota's Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit this online form. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation/interpretation services are available.

If you are the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.

Click here to get this information in multiple languages. 

Minnesota Helpline:

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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