MN Dept of Health Responds to President Trump’s COVID-19 Infection and Recent Visit

Script: Boozhoo, I’m Cole Premo. Here’s your daily update.

The Minnesota Department of Health is responding after President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and others tested positive for COVID-19 following a recent visit to Minnesota.

Minnesota health director Kris Ehresmann addressed the news in a recent daily COVID-19 briefing.

EHRESMANN: “Our thoughts are with President Trump, Melania Trump and others as they deal with covid-19 infections. We wish them a full and speedy recovery.”

Now, Minnesota health officials say there is a potential risk that transmission occurred at the Duluth Trump rally in late September and other events associated with Trump’s visit.

According to recent data, community transmission was high in St. Louis County prior to the Duluth rally on Sept. 30. That means people attending the rally may have been infectious without realizing it.

Ehresmann offered some guidance to those who attended Trump events.

EHRESMANN: “Anyone who attended events associated with the President’s visit and who now has symptoms should get tested right away. People should consider getting tested even if they do not have symptoms because some people may not develop or recognize symptoms and people can spread the virus even without displaying symptoms. People should get tested five to seven days after the event. If they test negative, they should get tested again around 12 days after the event. People should get tested in their home communities and seek testing from their health care provider when possible.”

Furthermore, anyone who had direct contact with President Trump or any known COVID-19 cases needs to quarantine for 14 days and should get tested.

Minnesotans in the Duluth area can get a test at a testing site set up at the Duluth Entertainment Convention CEnter.