District COVID-19 Dashboard

Helpful Resources

  • Home Screening Tools 

    Minnesota Department of Health

    • What to do if you have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 link to PDF
    • What to do if you’re waiting for COVID-19 test results link to PDF
    • What to do if you have COVID-19 (how long you need to stay home) link to PDF 
    • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) fact sheet link to PDF 
    • Protect Yourself & Others: COVID-19 webpage

    Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
    This website gives visual examples that helps people figure out how long they need to quarantine if they have been exposed

    - Resources from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health, and Stearns County Public Health. 

CentraCare Resources

  • December 2 CentraCare update
    When the pandemic caused shutdowns in the spring, we thought life would be back to normal by the fall. It made dealing with social disruptions a little easier.  Now, nine months later, schools are moving to distance learning and extracurricular activities are being cancelled … again. This can be difficult for kids and teens to deal with. For tips on how to help children and adolescents cope during this stressful time, read this blog from CentraCare’s Gary Wallinga, PhD, LP.

    If parents believe their child or teen needs additional support, CentraCare is offering virtual behavioral health visits. New and current patients are welcome. Learn more here     or schedule an appointment by calling 320-255-6677.  As always, thank you for helping us keep our communities safe. 

    -Dr. George Morris
     
    November 18 CentraCare update
    Our situation has drastically changed over this past week. The exponential growth is impacting our ability to meet all of the needs of our communities and the health of our staff. We know you are seeing this impact too with many districts moving to distance learning. There are many resources out there if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19. Testing is widely available. Recommendations for quarantine are clear and communicated. But what if COVID-19 is affecting you and your family’s mental health?

    It may feel like this topic isn’t receiving enough attention. That’s why we gathered information from Dr. Lori Listug-Lunde about the impacts of this pandemic on mental health. Dr. Listug-Lunde specializes in Child & Adolescent Psychology and outlined some stress warning signs and ways to cope in her recent blog.

    As mentioned before, information about COVID-19 is everywhere. In your news feed. In conversations with family and friends. But what is myth versus fact? 
    MYTHS: I’m immune to COVID-19. I will get the virus if I go to the hospital or clinic. COVID-19 can’t survive in the cold weather. 

    FACTS: Evidence does not support these claims. This misinformation can cause serious harm. Don’t let myths keep you from protecting yourself during this pandemic. 

    Please help us spread this video – not the virus – to make sure our community stays safe.
     
    Community Spread
    As we enter the holiday season, we are also experiencing large community spread of COVID-19 – especially in young patients and younger adults. According to this WCCO article that features CentraCare pediatrician Dr. Jill Amsberry, COVID case investigations seem to prove the younger, often asymptomatic population, is playing a big role in the community spread the state has seen recently.

    Tips to Safely Celebrate the Holidays
    Considering the current situation, you and your school families might be wondering how to safely celebrate the holidays this year. Check out this blog with tips on how to have uncomfortable conversations about not gathering in-person with family and friends.

    If you do choose to celebrate in-person, the state’s new recommendations include the following restrictions:

    • Limit of 10 people for indoor and outdoor gatherings
    • Three households or less, including the host

    These precautions may seem strict, but slowing the spread of COVID-19 will allow our businesses and schools to maintain some normalcy as we navigate this pandemic. By abiding by these guidelines, you also are helping our health care workers on the frontlines – who are deeply impacted by this current surge.

    A Message from St. Cloud Hospital Frontline Workers
    Please view this video from our St. Cloud Hospital frontline workers.
     
    Myth vs. Fact
    CentraCare: We also know there is a lot of information out there about COVID-19. That’s why we started this partnership. To be a reliable source of knowledge for you and your school families. Help us spread the word, not the virus, on what is a myth and what is fact about COVID-19 by sharing this short video.
     
    Taking Care of our Neighbors
    We also know it’s getting increasingly difficult to remain cautious while we battle COVID-19 in our communities. But we need to remember – safety precautions like masking and social distancing protect people like 82-year-old Patricia Smith-Baehr. She was at St. Cloud Hospital for six days with COVID-19 and shared her story. Safety measures not only protect our vulnerable populations – they keep our health care workers safe so they can better serve you. By doing our part, we help ensure there are enough beds in our hospitals to serve COVID-positive patients and others needing medical treatment.  
     
    Halloween Tips
    View a video message from Dr. George Morris: Please take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you choose to go out trick or treating.
    • Wear a cloth mask or bandana as part of your costume – don’t rely on costume masks. Small children should not double up on masks.
    • Practice social distancing while trick or treating. Do not gather at houses.
    • Think of creative ways to give out candy from a distance, like hanging candy bags from your tree for trick or treaters to take.
    Online scheduling for COVID-19 tests
    No more wait times. Now, you can make an appointment online for a COVID-19 test at one of our curbside testing locations.  Patients will be given the option to make an appointment based on time and location. CentraCare offers curbside COVID-19 testing services in St. Cloud and several additional communities in Central Minnesota.
     
    Second COVID-19 surge
    View a video message from Dr. George Morris: “This is a time for caution. We know that by doing things safer, we can impact the spread of COVID. We can do this. We can do this better by acting as one community.” From CentraCare: "During this second COVID-19 surge, we are seeing more community spread. People are getting exposed at small gatherings, while at work or participating in activities. In order to keep our schools and businesses open, we need to dial back social gatherings and consider virtual options while being diligent about masking, social distancing, and hygiene."  October 21, 2020
     
    COVID-19 or Seasonal Flu?
    CentraCare’s Dr. Kimberly Tjaden shared a blog to help people navigate flu season while also dealing with COVID-19. What are some distinct differences between the two illnesses? Dr. Tjaden said, “The symptoms are very similar between COVID and influenza, but loss of taste and smell is unique to COVID. COVID-19 also may take longer to develop symptoms — up to 2 weeks after exposure. Influenza usually develops 1-4 days after exposure.”
     
    Boost your immune system
    Dr. George Morris provides an update (a steady increase of COVID-19 cases in our communities along with numbers of hospitalizations and ICU patients) along with steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, including ways to boost your immune system as we start to enter flu season.

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