| Greetings!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I hope everyone is finding ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day today while also practicing social distancing! I am reminding folks that even though our park buildings are closed, getting out to take a walk on a trail would be a great idea.
My office will be sharing information from Ramsey County on how we are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic on an on-going basis. I am working to ensure that everything in our power is being done to serve and protect our residents during this time.
Starting tomorrow, the Board of Commissioners will be moving to a virtual operation. My office will continue to serve any constituent needs that come up, and will be available via phone (651-266-8359) or email (district2@ramseycounty.us) to answer any inquiries you may have. Please do no hesitate to reach out during this challenging time.
We also encourage residents to visit http://www.ramseycounty.us/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information.
Thank you,
Mary Jo
Ramsey County to suspend non-emergency walk-up services through March 23
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, Ramsey County will suspend all walk-up services except for emergency and 24/7 operations. Phone-based and online services will still be available. Public entrances will be closed and signed at high-traffic locations that include but are not limited to:
- Parks buildings.
- Government Center East.
- 90 West Plato.
- Saint Paul CareerForce Center.
- Ramsey County libraries.
Ramsey County employees are expected to report to work as usual to respond to phone-based and online services and help plan for future service delivery. Employees will support efforts to rapidly modify and redesign service delivery approaches. These services will be provided in accordance with prevailing federal, state and local public health guidance.
On Monday, March 23, county services will reopen with redesigned approaches that drastically reduce person-to-person contact while ensuring welcoming, accessible, equitable and efficient service options throughout the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency.
At their 9 a.m. meeting on March 17, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is poised to ratify a State of Emergency declaration. This provides county leaders with authority and flexibility to make necessary and immediate decisions to protect the health and safety of all county residents and employees.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health are closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19).
Questions regarding county policies and the county response to COVID-19 can be sent to Ramsey County's COVID-19 Response Team.
Current situation overview
Ramsey County coronavirus resources
COVID-19 impacts on county services
Assistance and support programs
Financial Assistance Services
All Financial Assistance intake appointments will be completed over the phone. If you need to schedule an appointment or speak with your financial worker please call 651-266-4444. For questions regarding Ramsey County METS Medical Assistance cases, call 651-266-3870.
WIC Program
Due to COVID-19, all WIC (Women, Infants and Children) appointments will be completed over the phone. If you are a client with an upcoming appointment, a WIC nutrition educator will call you at your scheduled appointment time. Please call 651-266-1300 if you have questions.
Environmental services
The Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center remains operational. Call 651-768-6670 with questions.
Health and residential facilities
Lake Owasso Residence
As of Thursday, March 12, Lake Owasso Residence has suspended all meetings and volunteer visits/outings until further notice. Families can visit at this time, and residents may go on outings or home visits with family members.
Ramsey County Care Center
As of Thursday, March 12, every person will be screened upon entering Ramsey County Care Center. Only immediate family members with negative screens will be allowed to visit residents. Exceptions will be made for extended family of hospice residents on a case by case basis. All volunteer visits, incoming groups and outings to the community have been canceled until further notice.
Ramsey County Library
All Ramsey County libraries are closed until March 31.
All Ramsey County Library events are canceled through March 31 unless conditions warrant continued suspension.
We encourage everyone to utilize e-books and other online resources and we are happy to assist. Patrons can keep their items and not return them to us during this pandemic. Patrons need not worry about due dates; we will check in returned materials fine-free until further notice. Book drops, however, are open today but this may change; please check our website before arriving.
Event Cancellations
Event cancellations will be posted here as they are announced. (Updated March 17)
View information on impacts to county services and operations.
Child support
Employment and workforce programs
Facility tours - Ramsey County Historical Society
Library and Parks & Recreation
Public Health
Roads and transportation
Community Support Information
- For those that live in the Mounds View School District, the Ralph Reeder food shelf is open. Call ahead for an appointment - 651-621-6280.
- For those that live in the Roseville Area Schools area, if your child needs nutrition during our school closure, we are providing free meals beginning tomorrow at several sites across our district. Find details at isd623.org/covid19
- Comcast is taking steps to implement the following new policies for the next 60 days, and other important initiatives:
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Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
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News, Information and Educational Content on X1 and Flex: For those with school-age students at home, we’ve created new educational collections for all grade levels in partnership with Common Sense Media. Just say “education” into your X1 or Flex voice remote. To help keep customers informed, we also have created a collection of the most current news and information on Coronavirus. Just say “Coronavirus” into your X1 or Flex voice remote.
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No Disconnects or Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.
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Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: As announced yesterday, it’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward.
It's not too late to get a flu shot!
Although flu peaks between December and February most years, it can last as late as May. Influenza is a serious viral disease that can lead to hospitalization and 80,000 deaths last year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flu shots are widely available, check this HealthMap Vaccine Finder to search by ZIP code below for locations offering vaccine near you. Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health’s Immunization Clinic also has low-cost flu vaccine available for anyone age six months or older who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccine. Public Health offers flu shots by appointment only, call 651-266-1234 for more information.
Flu viruses are spread by droplets when people infected with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. Flu also is spread by touching a surface or object that has flu viruses on it. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a seasonal flu shot every year and practice good health habits:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Wash your hands.
- Stay home if you become sick.
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 Get Involved
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants to serve on a number of volunteer boards and committees.
There are two specific openings that District 2 residents can apply for at this time:
- Community Health Services Advisory Committee (CHSAC)
- Parks and Recreation Commission
The deadline for applicants to submit an application is April 3.
Applicants may apply online at https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=927651073.
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