Coronavirus Local

ST. PAUL Gov. Tim Walz announced today that he is ordering Minnesotans to stay home Friday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m. until Friday, April 10 to help limit the spread of COVID-19 so the state’s health care system is prepared to care for those who fall critically ill. The Governor is also extending the closure of schools until May 4 and bars and restaurants until May 1.

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County Monitor-News

At an emergency meeting Friday morning the Swift County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring a state of emergency due to the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus.

Swift County Emergency Manager Bill McGeary told the board that while it did not appear that the emergency declaration was necessary at its March 17 meeting, that new guidance from the Department of Homeland Security now required the declaration.

The emergency declaration allows the county to track the steps it is taking to deal with the spread of COVID-19. “It will allow you to keep track of what we are doing…but as this thing gets bigger and the county takes a more aggressive role, it will allow you to free up some funds that will probably be reimbursable.”

Benson area youth have been taking advantage of free meals being dropped off each day at various sites in Benson and the surrounding area.  All they have to do is stop by one of the convenient meal sites and pick up the meals each morning at the designated time.

The USDA Meal Program is for anyone 18 years old and under.  They do not have to live in the school district, or attend Benson Schools to participate.  Everyone qualifies for the program as long as they are 18 years or younger.  Each day, a breakfast and lunch is delivered.

The meal program encourages people to register each day, but they can also just show up since extra meals are prepared at each site, just in case.

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County Monitor-News

Four area hospitals are pursuing a plan to turn one pod of the Prairie Correctional Facility (PCF) in Appleton into a COVID-19 medical center with an initial cost of $1 million.

Called the Tri-County Covid Medical Center it would serve Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties. The costs would be split based on county population.

The proposal was presented by Appleton Area Health Services (AAHS) CEO Lori Andreas and Swift County-Benson Health Services Co-CEO Melissa McGinty-Thompson at an emergency meeting of the Swift County Board of Commissioners Friday morning. The other two hospitals involved are Montevideo and Dawson.

County    Population    Contribution
Chippewa    12,010    $425,977
Swift    9,411    $333,794
Lac qui Parle    6,773    $240,228
Total     28,194    $1,000,000

By Reed Anfinson

Publisher

Swift County Monitor-News

Four area hospitals are pursuing a plan to turn one pod of the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton into a COVID-19 medical center with an initial cost of $1 million.

Called the Tri-County Covid Medical Center it would serve Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties. The costs would be split based on county population.

County                        Population            Contribution

Benson Public Schools Mobile Meal Service Program

ST. PAUL The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) continues to be fully activated to support all state agencies with their COVID-19 response following Gov.

Starting soon businesses can apply for SBA low interest loans

Prairie 5 Rides in Benson is now only transporting dialysis and cancer patients to their appointments.

NEW ULM (March 18, 2020)Out of concern for people’s safety during the COVID-19