Visit the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website for information about COVID-19 and for the situation update for COVID-19 in Minnesota. Materials and Resources on COVID-19 page has resources translated in multiple languages and ASL for providers serving non-English speaking individuals and families.
CDC and MDH still recommend all staff/volunteers and clients/residents wear a mask inside a homeless shelter, regardless of vaccine status. Evidence shows masking prevents the spread of COVID-19. Homeless service providers are encouraged to establish masking requirements within their settings.
MDH COVID-19 Investigation Toolkit for Homeless and Other Congregate Settings
Refer to for:
- what to do when there is a case in your facility (identifying close contacts)
- considerations for determining quarantine and isolation for both staff and residents
- testing scenarios and recommendations
- symptom monitoring and isolation
- recommendations for outbreak management
- tools for contact tracing, recommendations for asymptomatic close contacts, information on antigen testing, guidance on health screening and symptomatic staff, and additional MDH and CDC COVID-19 resources
MDH Therapeutic Options and Screening Tool for COVID-19 Patients
COVID-19 therapeutics, medicine for people who test positive for COVID-19, are a key component of preventing severe disease when people get COVID-19. A common misconception is that COVID-19 therapeutics are only for residents who are really sick (i.e., have more than mild symptoms). People that meet the following criteria are eligible for therapeutics:
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Tests positive for COVID-19
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Within 5-7 days of symptom onset
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Has at least one symptom consistent with mild to moderate COVID-19
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At risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Can be increased risk related to work or living setting COVID-19 exposure risk.
Patients with mild illness are eligible. If in doubt, ask a healthcare provider!
Printable fact sheets on COVID-19 Therapeutics:
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https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/medstx.pdf
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https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/medsantiviral.pdf
Visit MDH Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients
Refer to for:
- description of currently available COVID-19 therapeutic
- ethical and operational guidance
- eligibility information
MDH Shelter in Place Guidance During COVID-19 Surges in Homeless Shelters
Refer to for:
- recommendations for isolating clients on-site
- general COVID-19 prevention measures (screening, testing, masking, PPE considerations, non-congregate dining, cleaning and disinfection, ventilation, quarantine, and vaccination)
- COVID-19 treatment considerations
- Additional resources for continuing operations guidance when resources are strained
MDH Strategies to Mitigate Resource Constraints During COVID-19 Surges in Shelter and Correctional Settings
Refer to for:
- modifications to COVID-19 protocols (mitigation and prevention practices) during surges when crisis situations are encountered (staffing, space, and testing contingencies)
- weighing the risks and benefits of modifying mitigation practices
- guiding principles for modifying mitigation practices
- options for modifying prevention practices when resources are constrained
- additional MDH and CDC mitigation resources
CDC Guidance for Testing in Homeless Shelters & Encampments
Refer to for:
- overview of testing scenarios
- considerations for choosing a test type
- recommendations for screening and diagnostic testing
- options for modifying testing strategies based on CDC community indicators at the county level and potential actions based on community indicator level (community transmission phases include low, moderate, substantial, and high)
CDC Interim Guidance on People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness
Refer to for:
- community coalition-based COVID-19 prevention and response - recommendations for connecting with community partners and resources
- COVID-19 communication messaging
- considerations for outreach staff and volunteers
- considerations for assisting people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including those living in encampments
- creating a long-term infection prevention strategy for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness (community transmission and vaccination levels, and housing availability)
MDH Indoor Air Considerations: COVID-19
Refer to for:
- indoor air considerations and COVID-19 including air flow management, increasing outdoor air ventilation, improving air circulation, filtering indoor air, and evaluating ventilation and filtration performance
CDC: Cleaning Your Facility
Refer to for:
- when to clean and when to disinfect
- routine cleaning (planning and implementation)
- alternative disinfection methods
- cleaning and disinfecting specific types of surfaces
- cleaning and disinfecting facility when someone is sick
- additional considerations for employers and facility operators
CDC: About Variants
Refer to for:
- updated information about COVID-19 variants of concern and recommendations for response
CDC: Vaccinations for COVID-19
Refer to for:
- general information about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters
Review CDC Information on Vaccinations for COVID-19
MDH: About COVID-19
Refer to for:
- general information about COVID-19 disease, symptoms, spread, variants, prevention and treatment, and physical health effects
If you have a question that you cannot find the answer to, please email the MDH response team at: Health.R-Congregate@state.mn.us.
Where do I find contact information for my local public health and/or local emergency manger?
How does our setting order available over-the-counter iHealth rapid antigen tests?
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) continues to have a supply of iHealth over-the-counter rapid antigen tests available immediately to congregate living facilities. Each box contains 90 test kits, and each test kit includes two tests, so ordering one box would yield 180 tests. Facilities can order tests by completing the order form below. Test kits expire in July 2022.
Note: If your facility plans to distribute the tests to residents or staff for personal use (i.e., residents/staff will administer the test on self and read their own test results), a CLIA waiver is not required. However, if your facility plans to administer the tests to residents or staff, the facility will be required to provide their CLIA number and agree to report results.
If you have any questions about testing guidance, please contact the MDH Congregate Settings Response Team at Health.R-Congregate@state.mn.us.
How do I notify MDH of a COVID-19 case or ask questions specific to our setting?
If you need to report a case or have questions, you can email Health.R-Congregate@state.mn.us. If the situation is more urgent, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414.
What are current COVID-19 testing resources for congregate settings?
The MDH encourages facilities to review the state COVID-19 testing options that continue to be available to congregate living facilities for testing staff and residents for COVID-19.
MDH is identifying new vendors to continue providing testing services to congregate living facilities after the Hennepin Healthcare Swab Team contract ends on April 17 and the test only contract ends in June 2022. MDH will notify facilities when the new contracts are in place.
What are the current testing recommendations?
MDH recommends facility-wide testing as soon as you learn of a staff or client/resident case that interacted with other staff or clients/residents at your facility.
Review MDH’s COVID-19 Testing Recommendations one-pager for recommendations on how often someone should get tested depending on their vaccination status.
People who are fully vaccinated should get tested if they in close contact to someone with COVID-19, living/working in a setting that is experiencing an outbreak, or if they have symptoms.
People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not need to get tested or quarantine following an exposure as long as they do not develop new symptoms.
What are the COVID-19 test reporting requirements for facilities?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently updated COVID-19 test result reporting requirements that will take effect on Monday, April 4, 2022. MDH will adopt the same requirements.
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Facilities operating under a CLIA certificate of waiver or under the MDH Statewide CLIA Certificate of Waiver are only required to report positive results on NAAT (e.g., Cue tests) and non-NAAT (antigen tests). Negative or inconclusive result reporting is not required.
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Facilities operating under any CLIA certification or certificate of waiver must continue to report within 24 hours after receiving the test result.
Please review the MDH COVID-19 Test Reporting Requirements webpage for important details about this change.
Is there an example of provider-developed health education materials we can provide to clients and staff after they receive COVID tests?
Yes! See the following ‘after test instructions’ example from Catholic Charities.
Can you get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?
Yes! The CDC’s guidance is that COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day, as well as coadministration within 14 days.
Are boosters or additional doses of the vaccine available?
Yes! Review CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot for more information.
I lost my vaccine card, how can I get this information?
Minnesotans can now easily access their immunization record through their smartphones or other mobile devices by using an app called Docket. Docket enables residents with a Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) record to securely view and share their immunization records. Docket can be a tool for employers to use in simplifying the process for employees to verify their vaccination status. Learn more about finding your immunization record through Docket on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) website.
What should we know about new and emerging variants?
Review CDC: What You Need to Know About Variants for just-in-time information.
Until the majority of the world is fully vaccinated, we expect to see new variants. To help us understand how concerning a variant really is, the CDC classifies variants by assessing available data, including:
- Variant proportions at the national and regional levels
- The potential or known impact of the pattern of mutations on the effectiveness of medical countermeasures, severity of disease, and ability to spread from person to person
These are the classifications:
- Variants Being Monitored (VBM)
- Variant of Interest (VOI)
- Variant of Concern (VOC)
- Variant of High Consequence (VOHC)
If you hear about a new variant on the news or hear that the World Health Organization classified a new variant, but cannot find it on the CDC’s list there’s a good chance that it’s currently a concern in places outside the United States. It’s possible that it will eventually become a concern in the United States, so monitor CDC’s list.
Are there any mental health resources for staff and clients/residents?
- Minnesota Warmline provides peer to peer approach to mental health recovery, support, and wellness. Call are answered by a team of professionally trained Certified Peer Specialists. To talk with someone, call 651-288-0400 or 877-404-3190 or text “support” to 85511. This is an option if a person is not in a crisis at the moment but needs someone to talk to process feelings. If needed, they can transfer the individual to a crisis team for increased support.
- Crisis services is available 24/7 and the individual can speak with a team of professionals via phone or receive a face to face in person visit. Call **CRISIS (274747) from a cell phone or text “MN” to 741741. Most responses occur within 2 hours of the initial call. Landline numbers by county can be found here.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, crisis counseling resources to support people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 800-985-5990 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- Minnesota Engagement on Shelter & Housing (MESH) and People’s Inc Training Institute each provide a variety of trainings that can support settings and individual staff.
How do I find out about local resources for COVID-19 response?
You can contact your local emergency managers to find out about local solutions and access to resources. Find you local emergency management here.