MDH to lawmakers: $25 million needed for response to potential coronavirus outbreak
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - State health officials told lawmakers Wednesday they need an estimated $25 million to address a potential outbreak of the new coronavirus in Minnesota.
The Minnesota House and Human Services Finance Division held a public hearing to discuss the state’s preparations for the potential arrival of COVID-19.
The state health commissioner told legislators that the impact of coronavirus impact on Minnesota is impossible to predict. So, the emphasis is on being prepared for the worst.
"More cases will be coming in every day," explained Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. "That’s what we expect, that’s what we’re looking for. As for providers to be sending us samples from anyone who meets those criteria or who can’t be ruled out for other things."
At the hearing, the Minnesota Department of Health said $10 million of the estimated $25 million they are requesting would go towards paying health department staffers who are paid federally but would be re-tasked during an outbreak and therefore be on the state’s payroll during that time.
The head of the Minnesota Hospital Association also testified that, if the coronavirus outbreak spreads to Minnesota, they expect 20 percent of those infected in the state will need hospital care. Of that 20 percent, 5 percent will need intensive care.
Twice in the past week, Twin Cities hospitals had under five percent of beds available.
"Certainly one thing that we’re planning for -- and the hospitals are planning for -- is how to free up capacity so they may end up doing things like delaying elective surgeries to create the ability to use the capacity they have for these urgent cases," said Malcolm.
As of Wednesday, there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota. MDH is still waiting for test results to come back for eight possible cases of the virus. Thirteen tests have come back negative so far.
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2 passengers arriving at MSP Airport told to self-quarantine after coming into contact with COVID-19 case in Europe
State health officials have instructed two passengers who arrived at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International on a flight from Europe Tuesday afternoon to self-quarantine for two weeks because they encountered a person confirmed to have the new coronavirus while abroad.
MDH has instructed two people to self-quarantine after they encountered a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 while in Europe. A CDC medical professional evaluated them when they arrived at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on a flight from Europe on Tuesday, but they did not have any symptoms of the virus.
If the two passengers develop symptoms during the voluntary quarantine, health officials will test them for the virus and notify the other passengers.
In the meantime, MDH is recommending people take the following precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, like the cold and flu:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough