SE Minnesota News

A new committee put together by the Minnesota Senate will be used to develop the state's response to the pandemic as the nation nears a COVID-19 surge. 

As a coronavirus surge approaches, Sen. John Jasinski said in a news release that it's unknown exactly what resources a hospital will need, how many beds will be needed in intensive care and how much critical supplies the state will need. The new work group committee formed by the Senate will be putting together responses for the pandemic in an effort to minimize the number of cases and deaths caused by the virus. 

"The Senate is ready and eager to help our medical professionals and give everyone on the front lines of this crisis the tools they need to protect the public’s health, but the emergency resources we passed don’t do any good unless the governor’s administration makes them available to the people who need them. I hope they act very, very soon," Jasinski said in the release. 

Currently, Minnesota hospitals are focusing on space, supplies and the staff needed for a surge, Mary Krinkie, Minnesota's hospital association representative told Jasinski.  

"Without staff in place, neither supplies nor space will matter," Jasinski said in the release. "The number one goal is keeping staff healthy and getting more bodies in the hospitals."

Gov. Tim Walz denies being asked to implement an Emergency Management Assistance Compact, but Krinkie said the hospital association asked for one. Implementing the emergency assistance would allow health care workers in other states to be licensed to work in Minnesota, which would help staff hospitals in the state for a surge. 

Hospitals are also working on having the capacity for a surge of patients with the coronavirus, while also making sure to have enough supplies and staff for the peak. Current supply stockpiles are low, Jasinski said in the release, but an order of personal protective equipment placed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be arriving. 

Krinkie said a burn rate calculator is being used to determine the amount of supplies needed. 

Walz also announced a COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the state's resources. The dashboard can be viewed on the Minnesota government's website.