Coronavirus: Another Case In Twin Cities Confirmed

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health Wednesday confirmed two additional cases of novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. One is an Olmsted County resident in their 50s and the other is a Ramsey County resident in their 30s.

That brings Minnesota's total number of COVID-19 cases to five. Two of those cases are in Ramsey County.

Both new cases appear to be associated with international travel. Neither of the cases is related to other confirmed cases.

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The Olmsted County patient developed symptoms March 5 and sought health care and was tested March 9. The Ramsey County patient developed symptoms March 6 and was tested March 9.

Samples were collected from the patients by their respective health care providers and sent to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for testing March 10. Both test results came back positive late Tuesday, March 10, according to a news release. Both patients were not hospitalized and recovering in isolation at home.

MDH is working with local public health agencies in both counties to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with the infected person. These people will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

MDH has set up a COVID-19 public hotline that is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline number is (651) 201-3920.

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