Coronavirus COVID-19 information

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
• Most people who contract COVID-19 have mild symptoms that do not require treatment or medical care.
• The best thing we can all do for our community is to stay home when we are ill, no matter what is causing the illness.
• Symptoms of COVID-19 include but are not limited to fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you suspect that you have COVID-19, please follow the step-by-step guide below.

COVID-19 step-by-step guide

• As always, seek care immediately or call 911 in the event of an emergency.
• If you have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual and you are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath and would like to have your symptoms evaluated, call our free 24/7 Nurse Hotline at 218-499-6799.

COVID-19 vaccine

If you are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine booster, please visit our COVID-19 vaccine page.

Call 218-879-1271 for COVID-19 testing at CMH Raiter Family Clinic

If you are seeking a test, please call 218-879-1271 to schedule your appointment before arriving at CMH Raiter Family Clinic.

Long Haul COVID Rehabilitation

COVID-19 is a multi-system disease that can change and limit a person’s ability to participate in their daily roles and routines. Long Haul COVID or ‘long COVID’ encompasses a variety of health problems that people experience four or more weeks after being infected with the virus. The symptoms can range anywhere from mild to debilitating.

Common symptoms of long COVID include:

• Persistent fatigue / low energy
• Weakness
• Poor endurance
• Muscle or joint pain or generalized body aches
• Changes in balance or frequent dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches
• Sleep problems
• Brain fog
• Increased / new urinary incontinence
• Inability to return to work or daily routines

The CMH Rehabilitation Team is here to help and support you as you return to normal activities and roles:

• Occupational Therapy is skilled at the evaluation and development of an occupation-based treatment plan. For more information on interventions, please visit here.
• Physical Therapy starts with a comprehensive evaluation to identify prior and current functional levels to establish realistic functional goals. More information on available therapies is available here.
• Speech Language Pathology provides thorough evaluation and treatment in the areas of speech, language, cognition, and swallowing. More information on treatments is available here.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation helps improve post-COVID-19 symptoms and lung function. More information on what to expect is available here.

Important CMH Birthing Suites/OB updates

In order to best protect you and your baby from any possible exposure to COVID-19, we want all pregnant women to know important information about coming to the hospital for labor or any other pregnancy related concerns.

Please call ahead at 218-878-7012 to speak with The Birthing Suites nurse.

• An RN will discuss your symptoms and advise you to come in if appropriate.
• An RN will arrange for you to call again when you arrive at the hospital and someone will meet you at the entrance to escort you to The Birthing Suites, in order to avoid entry through the Emergency Department.

Visitors will be limited to one support person throughout your hospitalization.

• We will screen this person to ensure that they are not sick and do not have a fever.
• We ask that this person minimize trips in and out of the hospital to only urgent needs.
  • Please do not leave the facility for smoking breaks. The visitor is welcome to bring nicotine replacement products (gum, patches, lozenges, but not vape products) with them to use during the stay.
• The visitor should remain with the mother and not visit other areas of the hospital.

Please feel free to bring food and drink for your support person with you; there is a small refrigerator available in each room.

• We can also provide guest meal trays for $5 each (cash only).
• You will both be served a complimentary celebration dinner after the birth of your baby.

Assuming you and your baby are healthy and doing well, you may be discharged:

• Anytime 24hrs after birth, for vaginal births.
• Anytime 48hrs after birth, for Cesarean births.

See your healthcare provider from home with CMH Telehealth

Telehealth appointments support social distancing and are available for minor health issues, chronic care management, and preventative care. Learn about this new service and make your appointment.

Free, at-home saliva testing for COVID-19 is available to all Minnesotans

The State of Minnesota, partnered with Vault Medical Services, will provide an at-home saliva test to any person who feels they need one, and it’s free. Here’s how it works:

• Order your test online. This link has complete information on how to take a test and ship your sample to the lab using a prepaid UPS package.
• Once submitted, you’ll get your lab results in 24-48 hours.
• Each COVID-19 test will need a unique email address.
• A photo ID will be required so that the test supervisor can confirm your identity; any photo ID will work.
• You may be asked for your insurance information if you have it, but it is not required to test at home.

Complete information on this test can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health-Vault website.