Public health: Community transmission of COVID-19 likely occurring in Olmsted County

Public health officials say there is now evidence of community transmission of COVID-19 in Olmsted County.

In a video call Tuesday, Olmsted County Public Health’s Kari Etrheim said there have been at least a couple of recent cases locally in which the individuals did not have a history of travel or exposure to someone with a confirmed case of the coronavirus.

Olmsted County Public Health says there is likely local transmission in #rochmn area. There were a couple of recent cases where they could not trace origin of virus. This is not necessarily surprising, but first time we have heard this directly from county health officials.

— Sean Baker (@SeanBakerMN) March 24, 2020

The development — while not surprising — is significant, because it means it’s likely the virus is now spreading untraced in the community.

There are now 262 confirmed cases of the coronavirus across Minnesota, including 18 here in Olmsted County. The actual figures, however, are likely far higher — given that most people who have suspected or known cases of COVID-19, but are not severely ill, are now being encouraged to manage their symptoms at home.

Most cases of #COVIDー19 are mild with symptoms like fever and coughing. If you have symptoms and can manage them at home, you don’t need to seek health care or be tested. If your symptoms worsen, call your health care provider before going in. #StayHomeMN https://t.co/A18e0pl6Rk pic.twitter.com/3L44L4BGfy

— mnhealth (@mnhealth) March 18, 2020

Public health officials on the local, state and federal levels continue to ask the public to practice social distancing and to stay home as much as possible to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.