ST. PAUL — As COVID-19 increasingly affects Minnesota communities, the state is ensuring counties are not only ready for coronavirus but also natural disasters that may further strain emergency preparedness for keeping Minnesotans safe.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly held a conference call with emergency managers across the state this week. They covered the impact of heavy snow on potential spring flooding and tentative plans for a tornado drill on April 16 during Severe Weather Awareness Week.
“We need to be ready for anything, including other natural disasters, whether it be tornadoes or floods,” said Joe Kelly, director of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “We are keeping our eyes on those items because we are not immune to natural disasters. Families and businesses should plan to practice their emergency preparedness plans.”
State agencies and volunteer organizations continue working from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to keep Minnesotans safe and coordinate efforts to provide essential services and information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEOC supporting counties and tribes across Minnesota
The SEOC remains fully activated and staffed either physically or virtually by all state agencies and several volunteer organizations.
The SEOC continues to focus on personal protective equipment (PPE) needs across Minnesota The warehouse is scheduled to make 122 deliveries today. PPE includes masks, gowns, face shield and gloves.
HSEM Director Joe Kelly and SEOC management are reaching out to county emergency managers to make sure their needs are being met and if there are any issues in the county.
47 county and tribe emergency operations center are either fully or partially activated.
The SEOC continues to support the state hotline. The hotline received 173 calls on Thursday. State employees are staffing the hotline and are answering calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at either 651-297-1304 or 800-657-3504.
SEOC officials are evaluating the possibility of activating the alternate emergency operations center (EOC) for flooding. Officials are watching for potential flooding in the state.
Here are today’s updates and actions from state agencies and volunteer organizations:
Four more COVID-19 deaths reported in Minnesota
Minnesota Update
Total of 789 lab-confirmed cases in Minnesota – up 47 cases from April 2.
22 reported deaths; average age is 84 with the age range of the deceased being 58 to 95.
Since the start of the outbreak, 156 patients in Minnesota have been hospitalized.
86 patients currently hospitalized with 40 in the ICU; the rest are recovering at home.
There were 1,149 calls to MDH public hotline on April 2. The public hotline is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The number is 651-201-3920.
There were 695,000 visits to MDH COVID-19 website on April 2.
Global/National Update
Worldwide: more than 1,026,000 cases and 54,000 deaths as of this morning.
U.S.: 257,773 cases (NY: 102,863; NJ: 25,590; CA: 11,126; MI: 10,791; FL: 9,585) and more than 6,000 deaths (over 1,500 in New York City).
Traffic is down while traffic fatalities are on the rise
· The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports preliminary numbers show 76 traffic fatalities on Minnesota roads this year, compared with 70 this time last year. Let’s do everything we can to make sure hospital beds are available for those dealing with COVID-19. Preventing critical injuries from a crash can help make that happen.
There were 28 fatalities in March, compared with 22 last year.
Of the 28 fatalities:
1 person died in distracted driving-related crashes.
7 people died in speed-related crashes.
3 people died in an alcohol-related crash.
3 people died who were unbelted.
4 were pedestrians.
2 were bicyclists.
1 was a motorcyclist.
While traffic fatalities are up, DWIs are down.
Even though it's spring, we are still seeing ice and snow on our roads. Please drive to the conditions of the road.
When approaching a crash scene remember to move over, it's the law. If moving a lane over is not possible, slow down and keep emergency workers safe.
Pay attention. Buckle up. Obey the speed limit and never drive impaired.
Take action to prevent child abuse
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is reminding Minnesotans that they can help prevent child abuse and neglect, despite restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department is deeply concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on children and families across Minnesota. The COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures being taken to address it, are certainly creating stressful conditions for many families. Social isolation, unemployment and other economic stressors, as well as the general strain posed by the physical risks associated with this pandemic, are all risks generally associated with increased rates of maltreatment.
Many child maltreatment reports come from mandated reporters – teachers, nurses doctors -- (approximately 80% in 2019), and we know children are now not seeing many of those mandated reporters, either in school or for routine medical care.
During April, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, all Minnesotans have a role to play in preventing abuse and neglect by reaching out to others and reporting maltreatment.
Ask “How’s it going?” via text, phone or email -- it just might be enough to make a difference for a family who may be struggling.
Thanks to everyone for donating blood, providing home relief
During this uncertain time, the American Red Cross Minnesota Region encourages individuals to keep scheduled blood donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable supply throughout this pandemic.
There is no known end date in this fight against COVID-19 and the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come. It’s important to remember that blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled.
We ask healthy and eligible people to schedule blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting BLOODAPP to 90999 to download the free Red Cross Blood App.
Minnesota Red Cross volunteers continue to help people affected by home fires across our state. in spite of a pandemic environment. During March, more than 200 people received Red Cross assistance for home fire relief to meet basic needs, such as shelter, food, and clothing as well as health and mental health support.
Giving blood to help save lives
The Minnesota National Guard, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, hosted a blood drive at the Cedar Street Armory in Saint Paul today. The Armory served as an excellent location to host and maintain social distancing requirements. In all, more than 20 soldiers and airmen of the Minnesota National Guard gave blood today. The Minnesota National Guard plans to host additional blood drives in National Guard facilities throughout Minnesota to help combat blood shortages in the state.
Charges filed in two separate insurance fraud cases; business as usual for state’s criminal investigators
The work of government, including law enforcement and state fraud investigators, continues even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minnesota Department of Commerce Fraud Bureau (CFB) announced that insurance fraud charges have been filed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in two separate cases.
