- Walz orders flags flown at half staff for COVID-19 victims
- COVID-19 cases again decline after one day of increase
- MDH: Apparent single-day high of nearly 20,000 COVID-19 tests was actually spread out over two days
- Mayo Clinic reporting error may have impacted testing numbers in multiple states
- MDH to deploy community testing in Mower County after spike in cases
- Hospitalizations and ICU cases of COVID-19 continue trend of decline
Thursday, June 18
4:30 p.m.
As he will do for the 19th of every month in 2020, Gov. Tim Walz instructed all flags across state and federal buildings to be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset in memory of those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thousands of Minnesotans have lost dear friends and close family members in the fight against COVID-19. Each life taken has been a heartbreaking tragedy for our state. In these challenging times, we must work together to slow the spread of this pandemic," the governor said in a Thursday statement.
Businesses, individuals and other organizations across the state are also encouraged to do the same, in a show of support not only for those lost, but also the loved ones they've left behind.
2 p.m.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued new guidance Thursday for long-term care (LTC) facilities looking for safe ways to allow friends and family members to visit residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
For outdoor visits, MDH makes the following recommendations for long-term care residents:
- Residents must wear a mask or face covering, as tolerated
- Residents must not be currently positive for COVID-19 or in a quarantine or observation period
MDH also lists recommended visitor criteria for outdoor visits at a long-term care facility:
- Visitors must wear a mask or face covering during the entire visit
- Visitors must use an alcohol-based hand-rub when entering and exiting
- Visitors must be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
- Visitors should not walk through the building to get to the outdoor visitation area
- Visitors should sign-in and provide contact information
- Physical contact is not recommended due to the risk of exposure, including hugging, kissing and holding hands
- All visitors must maintain six feet of social distancing
The Minnesota Department of Education released a 100-page guide for public schools to prepare for three potential schooling scenarios in the upcoming academic year.
A final decision for the schooling scenario that will be used is expected to be made July 27.
The three scenarios outlined in the guide are: in-person learning, hybrid learning and distance only learning.
- In-person learning for all students: Schools are urged to create as much space between students and teachers as feasible throughout the day, but will not be held strictly to the 6-feet distancing guidance during "primary instructional time in the classroom." This scenario will be implemented if COVID-19 metrics continue to stabilize and/or improve.
- Hybrid learning with strict social distancing and capacity limits: This type of learning will combine face-to-face and distance schooling. Schools and transportation will need to be limited to 50% maximum capacity. Social distancing of at least 6-feet would be implemented at all times. If distancing can't be achieved, the number of occupants will need to be reduced. Schools will need to implement contactless pickup/delivery of school materials and food. This scenario would be implemented if COVID-19 metrics worsen at the local, regional, or statewide level. This scenario will also be implemented within a school if they experience clusters of cases.
- Distance learning only: Distance learning includes online, but also other methods to ensure that all students are able to receive their education. MDE said they expect all schools to provide students with needed educational materials. This scenario may be implemented if local, regional, or statewide COVID-19 metrics worsen significantly enough to require the suspension of in-person learning.
MDE said in their guidance that it is possible that all three scenarios could be used in the 2020-21 school year.
Thursday, June 18
11 a.m.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 387 new COVID-19 cases and 19 additional deaths across the state on Thursday.
That brings the statewide totals to 31,675 cases and 1,344 deaths. Of those deaths, 1,064 happened in long-term care or assisted living.
The 387 cases reported Thursday are down from 419 Wednesday, making Wednesday the first and only day of increased case numbers since Friday.
Hospitalizations continue to slowly decline, with 345 people hospitalized due to COVID-19 across the state as of Thursday, and 171 of those in the ICU.
MDH reported that 12,465 coronavirus tests were completed on Wednesday. That's significantly lower than the nearly 20,000 reported for Tuesday. MDH clarified, however, that the record-breaking number actually occurred over two days and a "reporting issue" caused it to appear as one.
At 2 p.m. Thursday, MDH is holding a briefing call with media and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). They are expected to give new guidance for K-12 schools in the fall of 2020. KARE 11 will stream the update on air, on KARE11.com, on YouTube and on Facebook.
Wednesday, June 17
2 p.m.
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm said Wednesday that the large number of COVID-19 tests reported for the previous 24-hour period were actually spread out over a couple of days.
MDH had told KARE 11 that a test reporting issue at the Mayo Clinic was identified on Sunday and resolved on Monday, but may still be affecting numbers. That issue affected multiple states.
Malcolm confirmed Wednesday that the nearly 20,000 tests reported Wednesday were not all performed in one day.
MDH spokesperson Doug Schultz said in an email that a little over 11,000 of the 19,573 tests reported Wednesday would likely have been reported over the last two days had the issue not occurred.
KARE 11’s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit kare11.com/coronavirus for comprehensive coverage, find out what you need to know about the Midwest specifically, learn more about the symptoms, and see what businesses are open as the state slowly lifts restrictions. Have a question? Text it to us at 763-797-7215. And get the latest coronavirus updates sent right to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to the KARE 11 Sunrise newsletter here. Help local families in need: www.kare11.com/give11.
The state of Minnesota has set up a hotline for general questions about coronavirus at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is also a data portal online at mn.gov/covid19.