COVID-19 was first detected in Minnesota two months ago on March 6, 2020. As of Monday, May 4, 2020, there have been 82,632 COVID-19 tests performed in the state resulting in 6,663 confirmed cases.[1] To date, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Hennepin County and its residents compared to the rest of the state.

While Hennepin County only makes up 23% of the state’s population, it currently has 49% of the COVID-19 hospitalizations and over 66% of COVID-19 related deaths, as detailed in the chart below.

Hennepin County’s disproportionate number of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 are primarily driven by cases arising in long-term care facilities.[2] Long-term care facilities account for 36% of Hennepin County’s COVID-19 hospitalizations and 85% of the deaths (see chart below).[3]  In addition, thirty percent (29.85%) of the confirmed COVID-19 cases involving residents in long-term care facilities resulted in death (240 deaths out of 804 cases).

Long-term care facilities are licensed and/or regulated by the state of Minnesota.  While counties do not have licensing or regulatory role with these facilities, the Local Public Health Act gives the County authority (as a community health board) to take steps to prevent the spread of communicable disease, including preventing its transmission and implementing control measures during outbreaks.  See Minn. Stat. 145A.04, subd. 1a. 

Current Request: This request seeks board authorization to create a long-term care facility COVID-19 testing and technical assistance program in Hennepin County. This LTC COVID-19 Testing and Response Program will be a partnership with Hennepin Healthcare to provide onsite COVID-19 testing, technical assistance and guidance to congregate care facilities in Hennepin County. Based on the hospitalization and death rates, it will initially be focused on long-term care facilities. Hennepin Healthcare has recently expanded its testing capacity and has created a team of staff that can provide on-site testing at congregate care facilities. On-site testing is one component of a comprehensive response strategy the LTC COVID-19 Testing and Response Program will implement that is aimed at reducing transmission. This LTC COVID-19 Testing and Response will:

• increase onsite testing of residents and staff in congregate care facilities (including long-term care facilities);

   

• provide technical assistance, support and guidance to facilities regarding:

• infection prevention and control,

• personal protective equipment,

• staffing surge capacity planning in case of staff shortages, and

• support for staff mental wellbeing; and

   

• coordinate its efforts with the Minnesota Department of Health.
  

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