Southwest Health & Human Services, which serves Lincoln Lyon Murray pipestone redwood and rock county says that their service area is experiencing dangerously high community transmission rates of COVID-19. In a joint statement with county commissioners in each of those counties, Public Health director Carol Biren says that while the agency remains deeply committed to the health and well-being of its residents, she urged all community members to take personal responsibility for the health of our communities. Biren says that to date, 58 deaths have been attributed to covid-19. The surge in cases is also taking its toll on local hospitals and healthcare systems. Biren says that until a safe and effective vaccine is approved and widely available, we all must do our part to keep one another safe by following the guidance from the CDC, Minnesota department of health and locals public health officials.
