Beltrami County’s Public Health Director Cynthia Borgen reports five new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed today.
Two of these five cases were related to the social group reported over the weekend, but the other three were not related this cluster.
Test results for some of these patients’ close contacts are pending, but the close contacts’ close contacts will then need to be tested, as well.
Borgen said in an interview today that Beltrami County Public Health has not been able to identify the original source of infection for this cluster of patients.
Borgen said this group acted responsibly and isolated themselves pending their test results.
The other three new patients, not related to this social group cluster, are of equal concern to Borgen.
One patient did have a history of travel, but the other two did not appear to have recent travel history. These three do not appear to be connected, so far.
Contact tracing is still underway and test results are pending, but Borgen reported Beltrami County is currently monitoring 14 cases.
Moving forward, Borgen recommends residents be aware of where they’re choosing to go, ensure they’re maintaining appropriate distance of 6 feet from other people, practicing hand cleanliness and wearing masks while in public spaces.
