Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 03/29/2021 05:05 PM CDT

Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates

Minnesota Department of Health

March 29, 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
New & Updated Materials
Upcoming Webinars
Other Updates
Grants/Funding
Upcoming Testing Events
Reminders

Status of COVID-19 in Minnesota

Updated March 29, 2021

Total positive: 516,608
Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 496,763
Total approximate number of completed tests: 8,175,208
Deaths: 6,835
o Deaths among cases that resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities: 4,270
Total cases requiring hospitalization: 27,085
o Total hospitalized in ICU: 5,570

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:

Upcoming Webinars

Help for Renters and Landlords

RentHelpMN will be launching soon, and we want to be sure that Minnesota renters and landlords are ready to go when the program opens for applications. Please join Minnesota Housing at one of their upcoming information sessions to learn more about the program regarding who is eligible and what expenses will be covered.

During the information session, Minnesota Housing will share “Get Ready” checklists for renters and landlords, including the types of documents that will be requested as part of the application. The RentHelpMN virtual information sessions will be offered at two times. Please register for the date and time that best fits your schedule:

Tuesday, March 30 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. CST

Wednesday, March 31 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. CST

Meeting participants will be able to join by internet or phone. Participants who join online will be able to submit questions in the chat. Participants who join by phone are invited to submit questions to cera.mhfa@state.mn.us. The meeting will be recorded and made available at Minnesota Housing website.

Health Disparities Roundtable: Disparities in COVID-19 — Social Justice, Policy, and Ethical Considerations in Vaccinating the U.S. Population Webinar

Date: Friday, April 16

Time: 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. CST

The Health Equity Work Group at the UMN School of Public Health is pleased to host the annual Health Disparities Roundtable.

Join keynote speakers Rachel Hardeman, Camara Phyllis Jones, and Michael Osterholm, for a timely conversation, moderated by Jaime Slaughter-Acey, that will explore COVID-19 policy considerations and vaccination strategies through a lens of social justice and structural racism.

Continuing education credits are available.

This webinar is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

Other Updates

Please see the excerpts below from a press release sent by the Governor’s office on March 26, 2021. You can also view the full press release at The Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Peggy Flanagan News Page.

Governor Walz: All Minnesotans Eligible for Vaccine Starting March 30

Governor Tim Walz announced that all Minnesotans 16 years of age and older will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination beginning Tuesday, March 30. The final eligibility expansion comes as the federal government has promised an increased supply of vaccine by April. By expanding eligibility to all Minnesotans, providers across the state will have the flexibility they need to fill appointments and support the state’s most critical goal: to get as many Minnesotans vaccinated as quickly as possible to end this pandemic.

Continuing to honor their commitment to immunizing for impact, the Walz-Flanagan Administration has directed providers to prioritize vaccine appointments for older Minnesotans, those with underlying health conditions, and those in frontline jobs. Providers will then have the flexibility to provide available appointments to other eligible Minnesotans.

Grants/Funding

Voices for Healthy Kids Policy Campaign Grant

Deadline: April 5, 2021

Voices for Healthy Kids has issued a call for proposals for the Policy Campaign Grant opportunity, designed to support advocacy campaigns supporting Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities with a focus on health equity. Grantees should seek to support and drive local, state and tribal policy change efforts that will dramatically improve the health of children with a focus on those experiencing the greatest health disparities including Black, Brown, and Native children or families from low income households.

For more information, please visit the Voices for Healthy Kids website.

Apply for the RADx-UP Coordination and Data Collection Center (CDCC) Community Collaboration Mini-Grant Program

To further support communities across the nation who are confronting COVID-19, the RADx-UP Coordination and Data Collection Center (CDCC) is opening applications for two kinds of awards.

The RADx-UP CDCC Community Collaboration Mini-Grant Program is open to community serving organizations, faith-based organizations, tribal nations and organizations to help advance capacity, training, support, and community experience with COVID-19 testing initiatives.

To learn more watch this 1-hour webinar about the Community Collaboration Grant which provides an overview of RADx-UP, the CDCC and the Mini-Grant Program, as well as answers to questions about the application process.

The RADx-UP CDCC Rapid Research Pilot Program is also open to universities and non-profits both within and outside of the RADx-UP network and will support the implementation of novel or emerging testing technologies in communities.

Downloading our communications kit.

Letter of Interest due dates:
March 26, April 23, July 19, Oct. 22

Full application due dates:
April 16, May 14, Aug. 13, Nov. 12

Expected notice of award dates:
May 28, June 21, Sept. 24, Dec. 20

Visit RADx-UP Apply For a Grant page for more information

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:

Albert Lea

Albert Lea Armory, 410 Prospect Ave
Saliva
March 29-30 and April 5-6
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Anoka

Anoka Armory, 408 East Main St
Saliva
March 30 - April 2 and April 6 - 10
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
March 30 - 31
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

*This site is closed Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2. Beginning April 5, the site will be open weekly from Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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.

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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
March 29 - 30 and April 5 - 6
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
Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat., Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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

Hibbing

Hibbing Armory, 2310 Brooklyn Dr
Saliva
March 31, April 1, April 7 - 8
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Hutchinson

Hutchinson Armory, 1200 Adams St SE
Saliva
March 31, April 1, April 7 - 8
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Inver Grove Heights

Inver Grove Heights Armory, 8076 Babcock Trail
Saliva
March 27, March 30 - April 2 and April 6 - 10
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

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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
Tues., Wed., Fri.: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat., Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

COVID-19 testing at the Minneapolis Convention Center will be held in Exhibit Hall B. Enter on the east side of the building. Parking is available in the 3rd Avenue ramp.

Minneapolis

Columbia Manor (Columbia Golf Course), 3300 Central Ave. NE
Saliva
April 1, 8, and 15
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Moorhead*

Former Thomas Edison Elementary School, 1110 S 14th Street
Saliva
Friday - Tuesday
Weekdays: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Weekends: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

Morris

Morris Armory, 722 Iowa Ave
Saliva
March 31, April 1, and April 7 - 8
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
Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat., Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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.

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

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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.
Doors by the main RiverCentre sign at 175 W Kellogg Blvd, follow signs.
Rice Park entrance on Washington Street near Herb Brooks statue, follow signs.
Parking in front of Saint Paul RiverCentre is prohibited. Please utilize the free parking offered at the RiverCentre parking ramp by mentioning you are coming for a COVID-19 test.

The testing location is ADA accessible. Upon arrival, guests that cannot use an escalator should notify the greeter and an elevator will be made available. 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
March 29 - April 1, 3, and 5-8
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Wadena

Wadena Armory, 517 North Jefferson St
Saliva
March 29 - 30, April 5 - 6
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Winona*

Winona Mall, 1213 Gilmore Ave
Saliva
Wednesday - Sunday
Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat., Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

This site is closed Sunday, April 4.

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
Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat., Sun.: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment: mncovidtestingappt.as.me

Additional closure days/No Testing - Worthington: April 10, April 18-19, April 29-May 2, and May 6-9

Reminders

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.

MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline:

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-833-431-2053
Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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