It's been one month since Minnesota's first COVID-19 case

It's been one month since Minnesota health officials confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the state on March 6.

We’re only a few weeks into the COVID-19 outbreak, but already nearly everything about our daily lives has changed, from the way we work, shop and socialize to even the way our governor communicates with us.

Here’s a look at where things stand.

How is Gov. Tim Walz communicating with Minnesotans?

The DFL governor appeared on a live video feed for his State of the State speech. Walz spoke from the governor’s residence Sunday evening where he has been holed up for the past two weeks. He was under self-quarantine because a member of his security detail tested positive for coronavirus.

Turn Up Your Support

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.

Walz’s message focused entirely on the pandemic.

“Self-quarantine, self-isolation, social-distancing — phrases that many of us have never used before now roll off our tongue in daily conversations. A new vocabulary to define our new reality,” Walz said. “It is a hard, cold reality.”

How widespread is this virus in Minnesota?

We’ve gone from that one case a month ago to nearly 1,000 confirmed cases. According to the latest health department numbers Monday, 986 Minnesotans have tested positive for the virus. But that's surely an undercount. There's a shortage of test kits, so only a small number of people can even get a test.

How many Minnesotans have died in the pandemic?

State officials confirmed the first death a little more than two weeks ago — that was March 21. One month later the death toll stands at 30.

State lawmakers haven't been able to meet as much due to social distancing. What have they been doing?

They’ve signed off on millions of dollars in emergency spending. According to the governor’s office the state’s total response stands now at more than $550 million.

In addition to the spending bills, Walz has issued numerous executive orders over the past month. He’s closed schools and instituted “distance” learning, and barred elective medical procedures. He’s ordered that only “essential” businesses can remain open. The order most people are familiar with is the stay-at-home order.

Unemployment claims in the state are soaring as hundreds of thousands of Minnesotan seek help. What about all the businesses that have shut down or reduced their hours?

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President Doug Loon said many businesses are just trying to stay above water.

“It’s hard to know for sure what the business landscape will look like after the pandemic, after the economic downturn,” Loon said.

He said when the recovery comes businesses will have a much better idea about their future but for now, “it’s about cash flow for these businesses no matter where they are in being open or partially open or fully closed."

COVID-19 in Minnesota

Health officials for weeks have been increasingly raising the alarm over the spread of the novel coronavirus in the United States. The disease is transmitted through respiratory droplets, coughs and sneezes, similar to the way the flu can spread.

Government and medical leaders are urging people to wash their hands frequently and well, refrain from touching their faces, cover their coughs, disinfect surfaces and avoid large crowds, all in an effort to curb the virus’ rapid spread.

The state of Minnesota has temporarily closed schools, while administrators work to determine next steps, and is requiring a temporary closure of all in-person dining at restaurants, bars and coffee shops, as well as theaters, gyms, yoga studios and other spaces in which people congregate in close proximity.