NEWS
--The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Morrison County. The resident of Morrison County is a younger resident with no known travel history. The Minnesota Department of Health informed the county of the confirmed case Saturday afternoon. Morrison County Public Health officials will not be releasing where in Morrison County the resident resides. “The resident is currently isolated at home,” said Deb Gruber, County Administrator. “People identified positive will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure date and should monitor for worsening symptoms.” Morrison County Board Chair Mike LeMieur shared his support and concern for the affected individual and emphasized the importance of partnerships. “Morrison County is fortunate to have strong public health and emergency preparedness teams working to keep our residents safe and healthy,” said Gruber. “By working collaboratively with local, state, and national agencies, we’ll be better able to monitor and contain this outbreak. I know this is hard news and may cause some folks to become anxious. We will get through this and Morrison County will remain a great place to live.” In a majority of cases, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. Morrison County Public Health in partnership with Morrison County Emergency Management continue to meet regularly in the activated Emergency Operation Center (EOC) in response to COVID-19. The EOC continues to monitor the situation and provide public messaging as necessary. Morrison County Public Health supports physical and emotional well-being during this time. The Department of Health has set up a public hotline that daily, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The hotline number is 651-201-3920. Any person can call this number with questions about COVID-19.
--Sunday's numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health show there has been 2,356 postivite cases in Minnesota of the 45,716 tested subjects. 134 have died related to COVID-19 and 1,160 are no longer in isolation. 288 hospitalized and 116 are in ICU. Age demographics show that ages 20-44, 45-64 and 65 and up are all around the same number for those infected by the virus. As mentioned on the top story Morrison County received their first positive test case of COVID-19 on Saturday, Crow Wing is at 19, Stearns 16, Benton and Cass 4, Todd 2, Mille Lacs 1. Wadena at 0.
--Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on Friday expanded what we can do outside during this Stay At Home order. His new Executive Order will allow several businesses to reopen including golf courses and driving ranges, public parks, private parks and trails will be opened (with social distancing guidelines), outdoor shooting ranges and game farms, bait shops for live bait, marina services, dock installation, and boat and off-highway vehicle sales and repair by appointment. These new provisions started at 5:00am Saturday. However, several other popular outdoor activities remain closed including campgrounds, charter boats and launches, and guided fishing at this time.
--On KLTF Community Focus at 8:35am today and online at fallsradio.com Morrison County Administrator Deb Gruber today at 8:35am will talk about the first positive case in Morrison County.
--The Little Falls Golf Course opened Saturday from the Governor's order on Friday. There are the following restrictions that will be in place: cups will be filled with a plug, flags should not be touched, balls should be removed from the hole with your putter or foot. No ball washers or bunker rakes will be available. The Clubhouse will not be open for customers; however, there will be a walk-up payment window and staff person available to take green fees. Credit/debit card transactions, and checks for exact amounts only, no cash. The driving range will not be open, as it determined how to safely handle and sanitize that equipment. No rental golf carts will be available, private carts may be used. Groups are highly encouraged to be limited to no more than 4 (four) golfers and maintain social distancing throughout their time on the golf course. Prepackaged beverages and snacks will be sold through the window as take-out. No mixed drinks or prepared food will be sold. Restroom facilities at the building between 3/13 tee will be opened. Questions call Little Falls Golf Course 616-5520. Pierz Golf Course Plans To Open on Tuesday April 21 at noon. Call ahead for tee times.
--Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan have launched a week-long statewide homemade mask drive to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation and highlight the importance of workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear. You are asked to build a mask that tightly encloses the area around the nose and mouth, from the bridge of the nose down to the chin, and extending onto the cheek beyond the corners of the mouth, so no gaps occur when talking or moving. Use mask material that is tightly woven but breathable. Double-layer the fabric if possible. Masks must be made from washable material such as fabric. Choose a fabric that can handle high temperatures and bleach without shrinking or otherwise deforming. The mask should be tolerant of expected amounts of moisture from breathing. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings to protect others from COVID-19. Cloth face masks can help prevent the wearer from infecting others – especially in situations where they may spread the virus without symptoms. Cloth face masks are not a proven way to prevent COVID-19 from infecting the wearer.
--The Little Falls School Board will meet at 5pm today at the Community Middle School media center. The Little Falls City Council meets tonight at 7:30pm and Morrison County Commissioners meet Tuesday at 9am. All online due to visitor restrictions in buildings.
--From Little Falls Community Services, the Adults With Disabilities Luau Dance has been canceled for Thursday, May 14th.
WEATHER
RED FLAG WARNING-HIGH FIRE DANGER 8AM-6PM TODAY.
TODAY= partly sunny, very windy, PM thunderstorms, high 56.
TONIGHT= shower/storm early, the clearing, windy, low 26.
TUESDAY= increasing clouds, scattered showers, high 50, low 35.
WEDNESDAY= sunny and warm, high near 70, low around 40.
SPORTS
NFL= The NFL Draft begins Thursday and will be via internet with no face to face interaction. Vikings select 22nd in the First Round.