MINNEAPOLIS — Thursday afternoon, the Minnesota Department of Health will update the media on its plan for the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Officials will also talk about how Minnesotans can protect themselves should the virus reach Minnesota.
So far there have been 57 confirmed cases in the U.S. The closest case to Minnesota being in Wisconsin. Globally, more than 80,000 people have been infected with more than 2,600 deaths in China alone.
MDH plans its briefing at 1:00 p.m.
Dakota County and Hennepin Healthcare are also monitoring for any cases.
"We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak," said Christine Lees, Dakota County Public Health's disease prevention and emergency preparedness supervisor. "We have several plans in place to respond to COVID-19 if we have a confirmed case in the county."
"We are continuing to closely monitor this evolving situation and are preparing accordingly. Our multidisciplinary planning team is meeting routinely and incorporating the latest information about the virus to ensure that we are as prepared as possible should Hennepin Healthcare receive patients with symptoms of a coronavirus infection."
"We have a long history of participating in comprehensive exercises to make sure we are ready to care for patients coming to our health system with emerging infections. From a few patients with an unidentified illness to a surge of patients that push the limits of our capacity, we practice a variety of scenarios so that we're prepared to care for our community when and if a disaster hits," said Christine Hill, of Hennepin Healthcare.
Meanwhile, the CDC says it's moving faster than ever to move several vaccines into trials and that could begin within two months. However, it could take another 10 months of trials after that before a vaccine is ready for the public.
The CDC says approach it like the flu, so cover your cough, wash your hands and stay home if you're sick.