COVID-19 Telehealth T2T platform is now live!

​The MDH COVID-19 Telehealth T2T platform is now live with Cue Care MN links and instructions.
If you are in Minnesota and have tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced symptoms within the last five days, you may be eligible to receive treatment with prescription delivery or pharmacy pick up at no cost. Health insurance is optional and NOT required to receive treatment. Getting care is fast and easy. And all you need is a mobile device. You can access care by downloading the Cue Health App or calling 1-833-283-8378.
Some key details:
  • Mobile app / telephone / web-based telehealth platform for COVID-19 therapeutics
  • Anyone in Minnesota with any positive COVID-19 test can use the platform to seek a consultation with a clinician to determine whether an oral antiviral is right for them and provide a treatment plan
  • Patients can use the service using any COVID-19 test
  • The service is at no cost to the patient, and no insurance is required
  • If the clinician prescribes an oral antiviral, patient can choose pickup at pharmacy of their choice with inventory or choose door-to-door delivery
  • App-based platform is available 24/7 to upload results/access information, with synchronous telehealth consultations from 7:00 AM – 9:00PM CST
  • Intake screening all in app, including screening for medical emergency, etc.
  • No government/photo ID or MN address required (except for delivery of therapeutics)
  • Phase II will roll out on January 5th, 2023: will have telephone and web-based solutions added, as well as full language support

Long COVID

Long COVID is categorized as the aftermath of contracting COVID-19. Lingering symptoms can include (but are not limited to): Neuropsychiatric [Headache, poor cognitive performance, attention deficit, memory deficit], Rheumatology [Fatigue and Pain],  Emotional & Mental Health [PTSD, Anxiety, Depression]. The best way to combat COVID is to rest.
long_covid.pdf
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Bivalent Boosters Now Available

Bivalent vaccines are updated booster vaccines that protect against the original strain of COVID-19 and the Omicron variants currently circulating (BA.4 and BA.5). Updated COVID-19 boosters can both help restore protection that has decreased since previous vaccination and provide broader protection against newer variants.
People aged 12 and older are now recommended to get an updated bivalent booster dose at least 2 months after their final primary series dose or last booster shot.
  • The updated Pfizer booster is authorized for people aged 12 and older.
  • The updated Moderna booster is authorized for people aged 18 and older.
  • Everyone who is eligible—including those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised—are recommended to receive one dose of the updated vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster are safe and help protect people from getting very sick with COVID-19.


​Where to Get a Bivalent Booster


Learn more about Bivalent Vaccines

Status of COVID-19 in Minnesota

COVID-19 Status: Updated Dec. 22nd- numbers are cumulative since 1/20/20 
  • Total Positive, including reinfections: 1,731,172​
  • Total Deaths: 13,886​
  • Total cases requiring hospitalization: 78,697
  • Total cases hospitalized in ICU: 13,414
Vaccine Data: Updated December 22, 2022
  • Total population with at least one vaccine: 4,004,420
  • Total population with completed vaccine series: 3,777,481​
  • Total population up to date with vaccine doses: 1,197,619



​Vaccination Breakthrough: Updated weekly on Mondays at 11am
All data is preliminary and may change as cases are investigated. Case and vaccine totals reflect only the results from laboratory testing and vaccinations that have been reported to the Minnesota Department of Health. Data may not align exactly with the cases reported on other pages or dashboards due to differences in reporting lags and the frequency with which the data are updated.
What the vaccine breakthrough data do continue to show is vaccines provide protection against COVID-19, particularly against severe illness and hospitalization or death, and we are seeing this protection strengthened when people get a booster, especially for older adults. This means staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, including a booster dose when eligible, is important. For more information, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Weekly Update page

​COVID-19 Medications

Medication is available for Minnesotans who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick because of older age or underlying health conditions. These medications, also called treatments, can help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. If you are at high risk and test positive, it is important to get medication right away to prevent serious illness. 
Visit State of Minnesota: Treatments for more information on:
  • Antiviral medications
  • Monoclonal antibody therapy
  • Cost and insurance
  • Who should get COVID-19 medication?
  • Managing mild COVID-19 illness
  • When to seek emergency medical care
COVID-19 medications are not a substitute for prevention. It is still recommended that everyone who is eligible get vaccinated and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For more information, including updated fact sheets, visit MDH: COVID-19 Medication Options.

Association of American Indian Physicians Announces COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Campaign

The Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) recently announced its partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to encourage increased COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The partnership includes a brand new AAIP sponsored website - aaipvax.org - and additional resources to support and educate member physicians, providers, and tribal nations.

For more information about this campaign, contact: Katy Fabrie at 405-403-5423 or kfabrie@goodengroup.com or www.aaipvax.org

COVID-19 Testing Locations

​Are you are having a hard time finding a COVID-19 test? Fond du Lac Human Services continues to offer testing options at both of their clinic locations. They have also created a resource with additional testing locations in an effort to keep the community safe!
COVID Testing Schedule: DECC
 Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Schedule Appointment with Vault Health

GET VACCINATED! HELP US END THIS PANDEMIC!


​There are several ways you can look for vaccination providers near you in the United States.
Visit Vaccines.gov to find vaccination providers near you. In some states, information may be limited while more U. S. vaccination providers and pharmacies are being added. Learn more about COVID-19 Vaccination Locations on Vaccines.gov.

Text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find vaccine locations near you in the United States.

Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Find out which pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

COVID-19 Vaccine Card

​When you get a COVID-19 vaccine, you’ll get a card for your records that has the name of the vaccine you got and the date. Hang onto it! You can also take a picture of it on your phone. If you lose your card in-between shots, it’s OK. Just ask for a new one when you get your second dose, and ask the provider to record the first dose on it. MDH cannot give you a replacement card.

​You can request your vaccine records at any time by following the steps on https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/immunize/miic/records.html #RollUpYourSleevesMN     

Conversation Guide for Respectful Conversations about the COVID-19 Vaccines

The MN Interagency Council on Homelessness has created a conversation guide for respectful conversations about the COVID-19 vaccines. This document is meant to be a tool to use in professional and personal settings and it provides tips and questions you can use to guide your conversations with people about COVID-19 vaccines. These approaches are grounded in a set of techniques called motivational interviewing. They also plan to use future webinars to talk through the principles of motivational interviewing and share examples of how to have effective conversations with people who have questions about getting vaccinated. ​

St. Louis County Public Health & Human Services
Promoting healthy people and communities through prevention and population-focused programs

Stay up to date on current service information within SLC by regularly checking the COVID-19 Information & Resource page. 
The data included in this dashboard represents cases of COVID-19 that were tested and returned positive and likely does not show the true burden of SARS_CoV_2 in St. Louis County, MN.
*All data points are subject to change as more information is gathered

Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

The Fond du Lac Band is one of six Chippewa Indian Bands that make up the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. 
The Ojibwe name for the Fond du Lac Reservation is "Nagaajiwanaang", which means "where the water stops".

St. Luke's COVID-19 Information

St. Luke’s is proud to offer COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Receiving the vaccine is free and available to everyone, both patients and non-patients. To learn more about appointment availability and scheduling options, click the link below.

Essentia Health COVID-19 Vaccine Information

You can self-schedule your vaccine appointment by going to MyChart, Essentia’s online patient portal. Click the green box on the right to log in to your MyChart account or to sign up if you don’t have an account. You do not need to be a patient of Essentia Health to open a MyChart account.

Patients and community members can also call 1-(833) 494-0836 to schedule a vaccine appointment. 

The Eviction Moratorium Off-Ramp Plan

For questions about specific housing situations and how it relates to the off ramp, we suggest you reach out to Home Line’s tenant hotline (Metro – 612-728-5767 or Greater Minnesota 866-866-3546 or https://homelinemn.org/) or your local legal services organization. You can also find more information at www.LawHelpMN.org.


​On Tuesday, June 29th, Governor Walz signed the Housing Omnibus Budget Bill which included details for an “off-ramp” and an end to the eviction moratorium. This bipartisan agreement ends the executive order that paused eviction actions and lease terminations at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The “off ramp” also begins a process of allowing landlords to terminate leases or file evictions.

Here is the timeline of the “off-ramp” and the important dates after the moratorium ended on June 30th, 2021. An important note in this timeline is that until June 1, 2022, a landlord may not file or proceed with a filed eviction action for nonpayment of rent against a household with a pending application with a COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program. If your application is still pending, you are protected from eviction actions for nonpayment of rent through June 2022.
​
​For more information on the “off-ramp” and RentHelpMN, please visit:
https://www.mnhousing.gov/sites/np/covid19emergencyrentalassistance
​

As extended Cold Weather Rule goes into effect, Minnesota Power is ready to help customers behind on their bills...

Duluth, Minn. – Minnesota Power reminds residential customers who may be having difficulty paying their energy bills that help is available. In addition to payment plans offered by Minnesota Power, customers also may benefit from an extension of the Cold Weather Rule and be eligible for additional Energy Assistance Program dollars through the American Rescue Plan.  Minnesota Power is an ALLETE Company-Press Release 

Apply now for Energy Assistance Program to get up to $1600 to cover your energy bills.

The past year was tough for a lot of Minnesotans. That’s why there are options for you to get your energy bills paid, whether you rent or own your home, whether you have past-due utility bills, or if you are getting big bills for electric or heat power.

Apply for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program. More Minnesotans than ever before are eligible for the program. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has received an additional $167 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to fund Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program.

Request an application or find your local service provider:
Call 800-657-3710 and press 1
OR search online for “Minnesota energy assistance”
OR go online: Energy Assistance Program / Minnesota.gov (mn.gov)

FHA’s special COVID-19 mortgage payment forbearance is currently available to FHA-insured borrowers. 

As the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ripple across our nation, an escalating 
foreclosure crisis among FHA-insured borrowers is reaching a cataclysmic point impacting hundreds of 
thousands of borrowers. We understand that many homeowners may be struggling and unable to make 
mortgage payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

If you or someone you know are one of the many FHA-borrowers in communities across the country 
having difficulty paying your mortgage due to the pandemic, we urge you to act now. 
​
Information on Forbearance for Homeowners | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HomeHelpMN Plan Approved by MN Housing Board

​The Minnesota Housing Board of Directors approved the HomeHelpMN COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Fund plan on Aug. 26th The plan now goes to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for action.

​What Can Homeowners Do Today?
We do not yet have a date established to begin pre-screening for HomeHelpMN eligiblity.
If you or someone you know are concerned about keeping your home, help is available through Minnesota's network of HUD-approved housing counselors.

You should not wait to begin these steps:
  • Connect with a HUD-approved housing counselor. This is especially important if you are facing foreclosure. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free, unbiased, confidential services to help homeowners make choices to address their housing needs. To find a counselor in your area, contact the Minnesota Homeownership Center.
  • Contact your mortgage servicer to discuss what options may be available to you to avoid foreclosure. You can learn more at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
  • Apply for Energy Assistance. If you are behind on utility bills, you may qualify for assistance. Contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce or call 651.657.3710.

What's in the HomeHelpMN plan?
The HomeHelpMN program, pending final approval by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, includes a combination of housing counseling support and direct financial assistance to help eligible homeowners avoid foreclosure.  
Eligible Expenses:
- Mortgage reinstatement
- Funds to bring current past due mortgage payment(s) and land contract payments
- Loan modification
- Principal and/or interest rate reductions, with the loan servicer's approval
- Past due property charges, including:
- Delinquent property taxes and insurance
- Homeowner association fees
- Manufactured home lot rent
Expenses Not Covered:
- Home repairs
- Internet service, including broadband internet access service
- Utilities, including electric, gas, and water
- Homeowner eligibility guidelines will be published when they have been approved. The proposed plan bases eligibility on income as well as other factors, with an income limit of 100% of area median income.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit

​The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a temporary FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit may help connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms and more.
What is the Emergency Broadband Benefit?
  • A discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband serve for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a computer or tablet from participating providers. (Household must pay between $11-$49 toward the cost of the computer or tablet.)
​The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (getemergencybroadband.org)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Funeral Assistance

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
HOW TO APPLY:
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
​Applications begin on April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

Video Gallery & Recent Articles
Why Push Boosters Could Make Pandemic Even Worse Aug 2021.pdf
​News / Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (mn.gov)
​Face Covering Requirements and Recommendations - Minnesota Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)
COVID-19 Data in Motion - Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center (jhu.edu)
Pfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to U.S. children as young as 12 - StarTribune.com
​​State bets big on fairgrounds in push to inoculate hardest-hit - StarTribune.com
​​Breaking Through the Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Wall | Opinion (nativenewsonline.net)
​​What You Should Know About the Possibility of COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination | CDC
Statement on CDC panel vote to lift pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
News / Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan (mn.gov)
​Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Evidence and Policy Approaches | ASPE (hhs.gov)
​Children-in-Nature.pdf (nrpa.org)
​​Less Screen, More Green: Outdoor Safety Tips for Kids | Safety.com

Vaccine Hesitancy 

VACCINE HESITANCY FOR COVID-19: STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL ESTIMATES

​To support state and local communication and outreach efforts, ASPE developed state, county, and sub-state level predictions of hesitancy rates using the most recently available federal survey data. This page includes an interactive map, a pdf file with a methodological description, and datasets for download.

New Tool Tracks Vaccination and Vaccine Hesitancy Rates Across Geographies, Population Groups

Who is getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Who is hesitant about receiving it and why? What state has the highest vaccination or hesitancy rate? The rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has been the subject of extensive news coverage and a new U.S. Census Bureau data visualization tool aims to provide insights into the public’s feelings about COVID-19 vaccines in near real time.

​MDH Resource Updates: 

View an up to date, weekly document listing important CDC links, as well as information from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Mental Health resources, funding support opportunities, webinars and virtual meetings, and more.

The daily situation update for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Minnesota can be found HERE on the MDH webpage, which tracks daily confirmed positive cases with demographics by age, race, and county.

COVID-19 Public Hotline:

Questions about COVID-19? Interpreters are available
Health questions:
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
Weekdays: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Weekends: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.   

Schools and child care questions: 
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Weekends.

Weekly Stats:

This report includes more detailed information on testing, confirmed positive cases, demographics, likely exposure, and syndromic surveillance. Some downloadable data files are also provided below the current report.
Updated every Thursday.
The Discrimination Helpline and Self-Isolation sheet can be found in multiple languages on the following websites: 
​ https://mn.gov/mdhr/intake/discrimination-helpline.jsp and https://www.healthdesignstudio.ca/
Staying at home shouldn’t mean staying in an unsafe environment. If you’re experiencing domestic violence, programs and shelters are critical services and remain open. A crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-223-1111 or you can text 612-399-9995. Violence Free Minnesota has links and phone numbers to helpful resources.




​StrongHearts Native Helpline is a culturally-appropriate domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans, offering support and referrals to resources available. 

StrongHearts Native Helpline | Find Healing | 1-844-762-8483 (strongheartshelpline.org)
​​COVID-19: Behavioral Health Resource

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. The NCTSN is continuing to create resources to address the behavioral health needs of children, families, and communities impacted by COVID-19. 
​
Visit the National Child Traumatic Stress Network website to find the latest updates on behavioral health resources.

Employment and Economic Relief

As our day-to-day life enters a new shift, with some jobs opening up and some not, we hope to share more resources for those seeking resources for employment and economic relief.

​For Native Artists and independent contractors, check out the current unemployment resources available at the link below.

AICHO & Community Highlights

AICHO Artists Respond

Artists affiliated with AICHO have been hard at work designing videos and artwork to share awareness about COVID-19 from an Indigenous cultural perspective.

Click the button below to explore some of their printable posters and view their work from the first round of artwork submissions.

If you are an artist who has exhibited at AICHO and have ideas about contributing to this messaging, contact us at aicho@aicho.org. 

Support Indigenous Artists

The Indigenous First Art & Gift Shop is currently offering curbside pickup and continuing to operate in an effort to support our region's artists. Check out food items, apparel, beadwork, original art, books and more by clicking the button below.

Video Gallery

Official Message from AICHO

In April 2020, the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) along with five other state-wide Indigenous organizations with the goal to share culturally relevant resources and education around COVID-19 in tribal communities. 

AICHO’s COVID-19 Native American Community Communications project will engage American Indian leaders and communities with COVID-19 information provided by MDH resources and create content with culturally appropriate messaging by utilizing Indigenous artists and their art forms to help share visual cultural Indigenous teachings, and values, for all ages about important safety practices while holding onto traditions.

Resources and Support brought to you by:
Web design by Moira Villiard.