Coronavirus (COVID-19)

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. It is not the same coronavirus that caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS_CoV) in 2012, however, it is in the same family of virus.

Isanti County Public Health (ICPH) is communicating frequently with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and monitoring Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) communications to maintain situational awareness. Isanti County Public Health is working with local partners to coordinate ongoing prevention, response, and vaccination efforts.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

COVID-19 vaccination in MN is a multiphase approach, as determined and directed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Multiple entities, including hospitals, pharmacies, and local public health are responsible for COVID-19 vaccine administration.  

Those 5 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from Isanti County Public Health.

How can I learn about upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics?

  • COVID-19 vaccines will be offered at the Isanti County Government Center (555 18th Ave SW, Cambridge)
      • Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are accepted at most clinics. To register, visit https://prepmod.health.state.mn.us/appointment/en/clinic/search (Tip: enter your zip code and select a radius for “search within”)
      •  If you have questions or need assistance registering, call Isanti County Public Health, 763-689-1711.

Frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccination clinics?

  • Where will the clinics be held?
    • Clinics will be held at various locations throughout Isanti County. 
  • What kind of COVID-19 vaccine will I receive from Isanti County Public Health?
    • Isanti County Public Health receives the Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines. 
  • If I get my first COVID-19 vaccine when will the second vaccine be given?
    • If you receive the Moderna vaccine, your second vaccine will be given 28 days later. If you receive the Pfizer vaccine, your second vaccine will be given 21 days later. The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine is a one-dose vaccine. 
  • Do you have any resources for parents to help their kids with vaccines?
  • Who is eligible for boosters? Does Isanti County Public Health offer boosters?
    • If you got Johnson & Johnson vaccine:
      • All Minnesotans age 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should get a booster shot at least 2 months after their first dose.
    • If you got Pfizer or Moderna vaccine:
      • For Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, health officials recommend you should get a booster shot at least 6 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you:
        • Are 65 years of age or older.
        • Live in a long-term care facility (refer to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots: Long-term care setting residents aged 18 years and older).
        • Are 50-64 years old with certain underlying medical conditions (refer to CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions).
      • Additionally, Minnesotans who got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine may get a booster shot at least 6 months after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine if you are:
        • 18-49 years old and at high risk for severe COVID-19 disease because of certain underlying medical conditions (refer to CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions).
        • 18-64 years and at increased risk for getting COVID-19 disease because of where they live or work (refer to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots: People who work or live in high-risk settings ages 18–64 years).
    • Officials also authorized "mixing and matching" COVID-19 vaccine boosters, meaning anybody who is eligible to get a booster shot can get any of the three currently authorized or approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) – regardless of what dose they received for their primary series.
    • Talk to your health care provider about your risk, the need for a booster dose, and any questions about mixing and matching doses.
    • Isanti County Public Health offers boosters to those who are eligible. 
  • Who is eligible for a third dose?
      • CDC now recommends that people with certain immunocompromising conditions that received the mRNA vaccine get an additional dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. An additional dose may improve protection. 
      • People should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
  • How old do you need to be to get a vaccine?
      • The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines can be given to those 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine can be given to those 5 and older (Anyone ages 5-17 MUST have a parent/guardian present in order to receive the vaccine.). 
  • Do you offer walk-in appointments?
    • Yes, we offer walk-ins appointments at most of our clinics.
  • How can I sign up for an appointment?
  • What if I don’t have those things?
    • Check with your friends or family members to see if they can help with registering you, and/or use their email to register. 
    • You can also register by calling Isanti County Public Health, 763-689-1711.

Low-cost transportation is available

Arrowhead Transit is the transit provider for Isanti County. To schedule a ride, call 800-862-0175, option 12, For more information, visit https://arrowheadtransit.com/county-schedules/isanti-county/. 

 

Healthcare providers and Pharmacies are providing COVID-19 vaccinations, as well

Until everyone who wants a COVID-19 vaccine gets a vaccine, it is important for all of us to continue to do our part to control the spread of COVID-19: wear a mask, wash your hands often, stay at least 6 feet from those outside your household, get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and stay home when you are sick. 

 For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/basics.html

To access the most up to date information on Coronavirus, including cases and travel information, please visit the following websites:

There are two hotlines for COVID-19 questions from the public.

  • MN COVID-19 Public Hotline: For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-833-431-2053 Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Isanti County Public Health: For local questions, 763-689-1711, Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Symptoms

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, symptoms of COVID-19 can include: 

  • fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion or runny nose, or loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  •  

Testing

  • People who have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 should get tested. At home saliva tests are now available to all Minnesotans at no cost. 
  • Visit https://learn.vaulthealth.com/state-of-minnesota/ to get a COVID-19 saliva test. 
  • To find an in-person testing location near you, visit https://mn.gov/covid19/get-tested/testing-locations/index.jsp 
  • Contact your health care provider before going to the clinic or emergency room if your symptoms worsen at any point or you feel you need to see a doctor.

 

Isolation and Quarantine: What's the difference?

  • Isolation - Keeps someone who is infected with the virus away from others, even in their home.
  • Quarantine - Keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others.

Ottertail County has created a calculator tool to determine when you can end your isolation or quarantine depending on your situation. https://ottertailcountymn.us/content-page/covid-19-health-information/covid19-calculator/

Best practices right now to avoid COVID-19:

  • Get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccine is one of the best things you can get to prevent getting or spreading COVID-19. Those 5 and older are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Wear a mask in specific settings or situations https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facecover.html 
  • Follow guidance on staying home (quarantine) if you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19. People who are fully vaccinated may not need to quarantine in many situations. 
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough and sneeze, preferably with a barrier like a tissue or the sleeve of your shirt.
  • Work from home if possible.
  • Wipe down shared work spaces and commonly touched items with a disinfectant.
  • Stay informed from a credible source such as CDC, MDH, ICPH, and healthcare.

Safety Tip Videos:

Resources:

Resources from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health:

Volunteers 

Isanti County Public Health is recruiting volunteers through the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). MRC volunteers include medical and public health professionals, as well as other community members without healthcare backgrounds. They help Isanti County prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. MRC volunteers receive training in public health and emergency response. To volunteer with Isanti County, apply online https://www.mnresponds.org/agreement.php.