Southwest Health & Human Services (SWHHS) counties of Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood and Rock have dangerously high community transmission rates of COVID-19. We remain deeply committed to the health and well-being of our residents, employees, and communities. SWHHS Board urges all community members to take personal responsibility for the health of our communities.
The number of individual’s infected, severe cases leading to hospitalization, and individuals dying from COVID-19 related deaths continues to rise throughout Minnesota. Currently, there have been fifty eight (58) COVID-19 related deaths in our SWHHS counties. Higher rates of virus transmission in the community increase the risk for all members of your community, including residents and staff in healthcare and long-term care facilities. The rise in the number of cases has a significant impact on hospitals and the healthcare system. It overloads valuable resources like availability of beds, supplies, medications and staff. The residents and staff in these facilities are at serious risk even as they take great action to limit infections. When community spread is this significant, all workforces are inevitably affected due to exposure or illness. We need all citizens and employers to take aggressive action to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The SWHHS County Commissioners unanimously voice their support of the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and urge communities, schools, businesses and patrons to follow these guidelines:
- Monitor Your Health Daily. If you feel unwell please stay home.
- Get tested if you have symptoms or if you are a close contact. Follow isolation and quarantine guidelines. Identification of COVID spread can help stop the spread.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. Everyone must wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Maintain social distance. When out in public, maintain six feet of distance between yourself and others who do not live in your home. Avoid any large gatherings. Stay home as much as possible. If someone in your home is ill, keep at least six feet of distance from them if possible.
- Limit gathering sizes to 10 or less. Do not attend events if you are high risk for complications associated with COVID-19. We must remember that seemingly uninfected family members and friends may be infected but asymptomatic. Exposure to asymptomatic cases can easily lead to spread.
- Wash your Hands Frequently.
Until a safe and effective vaccine is approved and available in our area, we only have limited tools to stop the spread of COVID-19. Reducing community spread is critical, we all simply must do better. We each need to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. We can do this by following the guidelines set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control. The time to act is now, and we need everyone’s help.
Lincoln County Commissioners – Corey Sik and Mic VanDeVere
Lyon County Commissioners – Rick Anderson and Charlie Sanow
Murray County Commissioners – James Jens and Dennis Welgraven
Pipestone County Commissioners – Les Nath and Dan Wildermuth
Redwood County Commissioners – Jim Salfer and Dave Forkrud
Rock County Commissioners – Sherri Thompson and Greg Burger