Minnesota National Guard
Authorities have identified a “significant increase” in COVID-19 cases in Ely, which has prompted St. Louis County Public Health to remind people to get tested and quarantined if they have been exposed in order to prevent transmission of the virus.
“We know people are tired and probably experienced an information overload on COVID’s precautions last year,” said St. Louis County Public Health Director Amy Westbrook in a statement.
“But outbreaks like the ones we’ve seen in several of our communities in the past two weeks make it very clear that we can’t let our guard down yet. Vaccines are making a difference, but we must still remain vigilant and do our part to minimize the spread of this virus. “
Last week, there were 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ely, which represents 15% of the total cases in all of St. Louis County.
St. Louis Public Health says some of the cases “appear to be related to travel”, but others are related to social gatherings and youth sports.
Related [March 22]: Some parents avoid COVID testing for children to maintain schools and sports
Anyone who spent 15 minutes or more at 1.8 m from someone who tested positive for COVID-19 should be quarantined for 14 days, whether symptomatic or not, with the exception of people who are fully vaccinated and have passed at least 14 days since its final dose of the COVID vaccine, says the municipality.
Meanwhile, St. Louis County Public Health is working with schools to provide test kits for students who may be asymptomatic. People can order a free saliva test kit at home from the Minnesota Department of Health online here or take the test at Essentia Health Ely Clinic (other test locations can be found here).
Anyone who has symptoms, has been exposed to COVID-19 or attended an internal meeting or event should be tested for COVID-19. The health department also encourages students to take the test at least every two weeks and student-athletes to take the test every week.
The outbreak in Ely occurs when the cases of COVID-19 have shown an upward trend in Minnesota, especially after an increase in cases of variant B.1.1.7 that was first discovered in the United Kingdom. This variant has been linked to an outbreak in Carver County that is linked to youth sports and other outbreaks in Scott, Blue Earth and St. Louis counties.
Minnesota routinely had about 1,000 confirmed cases a day in the last week to 10 days, and hospitalizations increased from 220 in early March to 332 (on March 23).