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Dec. 16, 2020
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View this email through Google Translate: Español | Hmoob | Soomaali
Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Dec. 19
Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is being offered Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds, Compeer Arena.
Not sure if you should be tested? Learn about who should get tested.
Registration is strongly encouraged.
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Find information about COVID-19 testing and testing sites in Ramsey County at ramseycounty.us/TestingSites.
COVID-19 Community Conversation with Dr. Lynne Ogawa today, Dec. 16
Join Dr. Lynne Ogawa, Medical Director for Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health, for a community conversation about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself, your family and our community.
The topic for the December community conversation is Myth & Science: Navigating Information around COVID-19. Navigating the news, myths and confusion around COVID-19 online and in the community can be challenging. Join an open discussion on Dec. 16 to separate facts from misinformation and get answers to your COVID-19 questions.
You can submit questions in advance by email or ask them during the event. The conversation will be presented via Zoom.
Learn more.
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COVID-19 vaccines starting to arrive in Minnesota
As COVID-19 vaccines begin arriving in Ramsey County, Governor Walz has announced three principles that will guide the distribution:
- Making the biggest immediate impact.
- Equitable distribution and access.
- Transparent distribution.
Safe and effective vaccines are on their way, but the supply will be small at first. We must continue to wear masks, socially distance, wash our hands frequently and stay home if we are sick to make sure as few people as possible get COVID-19 until a vaccine is widely available.
The first doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be given to people working in health care settings who could get COVID-19 at work and people who live and work in long-term care facilities like nursing homes. Eventually, all Minnesotans who want to be vaccinated will be able to do so.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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New CDC quarantine recommendations
Minnesota has adopted CDC recommendations for shorter quarantines after potential exposure to COVID-19. It is still safest to wait 14 days to see if you contract the virus, but under certain conditions Minnesotans can end their quarantine in 7-10 days.
- If you haven’t tested positive, have no symptoms and continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days, your quarantine can be shortened to 10 days. If you also test negative after 5 days, you can shorten your quarantine to 7 days.
- If your exposure is to someone in your household, if you’re a health care worker or you have symptoms, you should still quarantine for the full 14 days.
Guidance for what to do after a positive test hasn't changed:
- If you have symptoms, isolate until you feel better, it has been 10 days since you first felt sick and you haven't had a fever for 24 hours. If you have no symptoms, stay home for at least 10 days after your test.
Learn more about quarantine guidelines.
Partnerships with 24 community organizations provide COVID-19 information and resource connections
Advancing racial and health equity and effective community engagement is an integral part of Ramsey County's COVID-19 response.
In November, the county’s COVID-19 Racial Equity and Community Engagement Response Team began a new round of partnerships with trusted messengers and community organizations to ensure Ramsey County's diverse racial, ethnic and cultural communities are informed about coronavirus, county services and community resources during the pandemic.
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Request free career search support and a Career Kit
If you’re looking for work, support is available during this challenging time. You might be eligible for a Career Kit with free materials to aid in your career search.
Find out if you’re eligible and get connected with resources:
- Hennepin County residents: Call 763-279-4400.
- Ramsey County residents: Call 651-539-4100.
Included in Career Kits:
- Creative career search book.
- Flash drive, notepad, pen and string bag.
- Information about career services.
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance available for student workers
Are you or do you know a Minnesota high school student who lost a job because of COVID-19?
Qualified student workers may qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program. Apply now at uimn.org to determine your eligibility. Applications must be complete by Dec. 26, 2020.
Information on how to apply.
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Food and basic needs resources available
Food and basic needs resources are available for residents, including assistance programs:
• To increase monthly food budgets.
• For children under the age of 18.
• For seniors.
• For residents with transportation or mobility barriers.
Learn more and find food resources.
To date, more than 275,000 free meals have been delivered through Ramsey County’s home meal delivery program.
View home meal delivery data on Open Ramsey County.
Mask donations needed for community distribution
Help keep our community safe by donating homemade cloth masks by mail or at a collection box. Donated masks will then be distributed to individuals and families in need.
Together, let's help protect our residents and keep our communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do you or somebody you know need masks? You can request free masks through the A Mask for Everyone program.
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Applications for Resiliency Fund open through Dec. 30
Applications for the Ramsey County Resiliency Fund are being accepted though Dec. 30 at noon.
Financial support is available for community organizations that provide food and basic needs, health and well-being, and workforce services to residents in 2020. The fund is an initiative of the Ramsey County Investment and Support Efforts program and open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State.
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Service center update: In-person assistance
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COVID-19 update from the Dec. 15 board of commissioners meeting
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