Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates

Stay Safe MN logo

Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates

View this as a webpage

Minnesota Department of Health

June 30, 2023

The Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Update is being sent to the following three MDH mailing lists to reduce duplication:

  • Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates
  • MN Immigrant and Refugee Health Announcements
  • The Center for Health Equity

Today's COVID-19 updates include:


Status of COVID-19 in Minnesota

Status of COVID-19 in Minnesota:

Updated June 29, 2023

  • Total positive including reinfections: 1,799,350
  • Total deaths: 14,873
  • Total cases requiring hospitalization: 85,603
  • Total cases hospitalized in ICU: 14,421

Numbers are cumulative since Jan. 20, 2020.

The number of lab-confirmed positive tests among Minnesota residents will be updated weekly on Situation Update for COVID-19 with data as of 4 a.m. on the Tuesday prior. The page also includes a map of counties with confirmed cases, data by race/ethnicity, and more. 

This total reflects only the results from laboratory testing. There are more cases in Minnesota, and the virus is circulating in communities. It is important for everyone to take steps to protect themselves and others through vaccination, testing, staying home when sick, and more.

COVID-19 Vaccination Data - As of June 22, 2023 (Updated monthly)

  • People up to date with vaccine doses: 1,497,601

Jobs

Cultural Communications Coordinator (Job ID: 67041)

Join the Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH) Executive Office Division, Cultural Communications Team as we work to serve the health communication needs of English language learners and limited English proficient (LEP) communities in MInnesota, through translations expertise and cultural communications support for and among key communications partners.

Working as a Cultural Communication Coordinator within our Cultural Communication Team, you will be responsible for coordinating cultural communication projects.  By providing expert translations strategy and support, this position plays an important role in the public health system’s efforts to communicate information that is timely, culturally, and linguistically appropriate.

  • Application Deadline: Friday, July 14, 2023

Search for Careers Within the State of Minnesota using the ID above or job title.


Other

Metropolitan Center for Independent Living's COVID-19 Community Coordinator Team: FREE Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Care Packages by Mail

Has the Canadian wildfire smoke & haze been bothering you lately? The main health concern from wildfire smoke comes from the amount of very fine particles in the air. As we learned during the height of COVID-19, high-quality masks like N95s and KN95s can offer significant protection against COVID-19 & also smoke particulates.

The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living's COVID-19 Community Coordinator (CCC) team can send you a FREE PPE Care Package containing a 10-pack of KN95 masks, a box of medium or large size vinyl gloves, a face shield and hand sanitizer, while supplies last.

Please contact their CCC team with your name, mailing address and your preference of medium or large size gloves and they'll mail a PPE Care Package right to you.

Call their CCC team hotline at 1-800-409-5594 or email MDH@mcil-mn.org.

People with certain health conditions and respiratory issues can be more sensitive to air pollution, and may need to take more precautions, like wearing an N95 or KN95 mask when they have to be outdoors or travel on less healthy air quality days. To find out what the current Air Quality Index (AQI) is in your area, go to www.airnow.gov for more information and tips on how to stay safe.

Upcoming Testing & Vaccination Events

COVID-19 Community Testing

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works in partnership with communities to provide safe and free on-site COVID-19 testing in areas with outbreaks, increasing cases, or other barriers to access existing test sites.

Testing Events:

 

African Immigrants Community Services

  • Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • 1433 East Franklin Avenue, Unit 13B, Minneapolis
  • Saliva tests available 
  • Pre-registration steps:
    • Go to shieldt3portal.pointnclick.com 
    • Click “Sign Up for Account”
    • Input Agency Code: MDHCT
    • Input all information, check “I Agree” to give consent, then click “Submit."
    • Input registration code that was sent via text and email.
  • For assistance or question, please call 612-443-8806 or 612-443-8941

Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization

  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
  • 3333 West Division Street, Suite 122A, St. Cloud 
  • Saliva tests available 
  • Appointments and walk-in appointments available 
  • For more information, call 320-281-3232

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center

  • Mondays: 2 - 5 p.m. 
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3 - 7 p.m. 
  • 1301 North 10th Avenue, Minneapolis
  • Saliva and rapid tests available
  • Pre-registration steps:
    • Go to shieldt3portal.pointnclick.com 
    • Click “Sign Up for Account”
    • Input Agency Code: MDHCT
    • Input all information, check “I Agree” to give consent, then click “Submit."
    • Input registration code that was sent via text and email.
    • Proceed to check-in area once you arrive at PWCC 

Somali Community Resettlement Services 

  • Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
  • Gale Mansion Event Center
  • 2115 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis
  • PCR and rapid tests available 
  • SCRS Testing Events.jpg

WellShare Community Health Works

COVID-19 Community Vaccines

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) works in partnership with communities to provide safe and free on-site COVID-19 vaccines.

Completing your primary vaccination series and getting a booster dose when due remains the most important way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be very good at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Make sure you and your family are up to date on any COVID-19 vaccine doses you are recommended to get to have the best protection against COVID-19. 

  • How to get a free vaccine
    • Check for vaccine appointments using Vaccine.gov (you can search for appointments by vaccine type: Pfizer vaccine, Moderna vaccine, Novavax vaccine) 
    • Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.
    • Employers may also reach out with information for vaccination opportunities.

Vaccination Events:

 

Restoration for All, Inc. 

  • Community COVID-19 Vaccine Event
    • Monday, July 3, 2023
    • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
    • $50 incentive
    • Free COVID Home Test Kits
    • Keller Regional Park, Shelter 5
    • 2166 Maplewood Drive, Maplewood
    • REFA Vaccination Event 07.03.png

Reminders

Discrimination helpline

Discrimination Helpline

Report Discrimination and Bias

COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race, where you come from, your immigration status, or anything else. 

If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of discrimination or bias call Minnesota's Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or submit an online form on the Report Discrimination page. The helpline is staffed by investigators from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Translation/interpretation services are available.

If you are the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.


MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline:

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call 1-833-431-2053
Mon., Wed., & Fri.: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tues. & Thurs.: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To connect directly to a representative in American Sign Language, visit the Contact Us: COVID-19 Questions webpage. 


Peer Support Connection MN Warmline (PSC):

Contact the PSC Warmline, available from 5 p.m. - 9 a.m., at 1-844-739-6369.

Visit the Peer Support Connection MN Warmline page for more information.


MDH Contact Information:

For questions regarding the information in this bulletin or the Cultural, Faith and Disabilities Communities (CFD) branch, please email health.equity@state.mn.us.


If you've been forwarded this email and would like to receive these updates directly, sign up here: Subscribe to Cultural, Faith, and Disability Communities COVID-19 Updates.