By Anna Jauhola Anyone 16 and older can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which is good news for Kittson County Public Health continuing to vaccinate anyone wanting the shot. Cindy Urbaniak, public health director, said the priority groups have pretty well been covered in the county and she is hoping more people will take advantage…
By Anna Jauhola Vaccinations are being made available to a larger number of people in Kittson County. As the country moves toward getting the majority of adults vaccinated for COVID-19 by this summer, Kittson Healthcare in Hallock announced this week it is scheduling appointments for people in the next categories. According to Kittson Healthcare, people…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz announced last week the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool that helps all Minnesotans find out when, where and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The Vaccine Connector is the next step of the state’s vaccination strategy to meet Minnesotans where they are and connect…
By Enterprise Staff Those seeking a COVID-19 vaccine this week are being encouraged to find locations outside Kittson County. According to its Facebook page, Kittson Healthcare Center in Hallock stated Monday it was not expecting to receive any vaccine this week from Minnesota Department of Health. Officials are uncertain when they may receive vaccine. To…
Clinic goes well, but dose shipments are unreliable By Anna Jauhola While the nation struggles to get enough vaccine on hand to inoculate the population against COVID-19, Kittson County is no different. In recent weeks, county residents had heard Kittson Healthcare in Hallock was keeping a list of those 65 and older who wanted to…
The Minnesota Depart-ment of Health (MDH) today announced the new variant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus first detected in the United Kingdom was identified by genomic sequencing in positive specimens from five residents of four different counties in the Twin Cities metro area. Four of the cases were identified through the MDH Public Health Laboratory,…
By Anna Jauhola About 100 healthcare workers in Kittson County received the Pfizer vaccine last week to protect against COVID-19. “Pretty much everybody had a good response,” said Cindy Urbaniak, public health director. “There were a few side effects — maybe a headache, sore arm was probably the most common side effect we heard about,…
Crookston, Minn. — In order to expand access to free, “no barrier” COVID-19 testing, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has announced 11 new longer-term COVID-19 testing sites will open across Minnesota in the coming weeks. Testing at the Crookston National Guard Armory, 1801 University Avenue opened Monday, Nov. 16. Pre-registration is requested to avoid long…
Health officials urge public to follow precautions and to celebrate safely By Anna Jauhola Hospitals in the northwest corner of Minnesota are working together and are prepared to handle COVID-19 patients, according to officials. Kittson Healthcare in Hallock is a member of the Northwest Regional Emergency Preparedness Group, which comprises all hospitals in the northwest…
[ST. PAUL, MN] – As hospitals express concern about capacity to treat Minnesotans with COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus in Minnesota. Beginning on Friday, the restrictions will apply to social gatherings, celebrations and receptions, and bars and restaurants, which are three of the most…
By Anna Jauhola As positive COVID-19 cases rise in Kittson County, school and health officials are working to ensure public safety. As of Monday afternoon, Oct. 26, Kittson County’s total case count was 51, and active cases had increased to 25, according to Kittson County Public Health. Superintendents at Kittson Central and Lancaster schools continue…
Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday, Oct. 22, a pilot of the COVID-19 Test at Home saliva program. Minnesotans in two dozen counties or tribal nations will be able to order a saliva test online, to perform in the comfort of their own home. These tests are available in select service areas free of charge…
By Andrea Swenson, RN, director of clinic nursing and patient safety As expected, in response to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases and exposures in the area, we are beginning to see an increase in testing for COVID-19 as well. We wanted to provide some information so the public is aware about the scenarios when…
By Anna Jauhola Just before MEA weekend, Lancaster School reported its first positive COVID-19 case in a high school student. Superintendent Shannon Hunstad said, for privacy reasons, they are not releasing the name of the student. However, the student and a handful of close contacts were put in isolation and quarantine immediately starting Wednesday, Oct.…
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Minnesota small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced last week. SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Pre-paredness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act…
[ST. PAUL, MN] – To slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state, Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-20 directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movements outside of their home beyond essential needs. This order takes effect at 11:59pm on Friday, March 27 and ends at 5:00pm on Friday, April…
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement regarding her husband John: “I have news that many Americans are facing right now: my husband John has the coronavirus. We just got the test results at 7 a.m. this morning. While I cannot see him and he is of course cut off…
By Anna Jauhola The City of Hallock declared a state of emergency in an emergency meeting on Friday, March 20. The city council met at the city hall in the basement and spaced more than 6 feet from each other. Councilor Kevin Waller attended and voted by phone, which is allowed in emergency instances. City…
By Anna Jauhola The Kittson County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency at an emergency meeting on Friday, March 20 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The commissioners called into the meeting via a digital service called GoToMeeting, which is allowed for public meetings during an emergency. Alongside the emergency declaration, the commission…
UPDate as of 4/1/20 Sjostrand Agency: Lobby is closed, staff is on site and available by phone 218-843-3350 or call Steve, cell 218-843-1481 or Dan, cell 218-843-1387. Area businesses and entities are affected just as much as the rest of the state as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. This list will be updated as we receive…