COVID-19 Health Resources
Accurate medical information about COVID-19, testing and what to do if you get sick.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
Immigrant and refugee communities
Anyone who is sick should seek medical care without fear, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for health services.
Long COVID
Long COVID (also known as post-COVID) is when people experience ongoing symptoms for four or more weeks after being infected with the COVID-19 virus. The signs and symptoms can be new, returning or ongoing. They can last for months and range from mild to severe.
Who can get long COVID?
Anyone who has tested positive with the COVID-19 virus can develop long COVID, including children. Long COVID is more common in people who experienced severe illness, but it can also happen to people who had no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Vaccinated people have a lower risk of developing long COVID, no matter when they test positive for COVID-19.
Symptoms
There is no test that can diagnose long COVID, so understanding your symptoms is very important. Long COVID symptoms are different from person to person. Each person may have different combinations of symptoms. Talk to a health care provider if you are not feeling well and your symptoms are interrupting daily life. Learn more about long COVID symptoms.
Treatment and help
Health professionals are studying long COVID to better understand the cause and find effective treatments. If you have symptoms of long COVID, medical and social support may be available to you. Learn more about long COVID support options.
Not able to work because of long COVID?
MN RETAIN is a new program that helps workers who are not working because of an injury or illness. The program provides resources so employees can stay at work or return to work as soon as they are feeling better.
- Call 507-284-4537.
- Learn more at mnretain.com.
- MN RETAIN flyer.
Testing and isolation guidance
Testing for COVID-19 is recommended based on exposure, symptoms, travel and high-risk events.
- If you have symptoms, test immediately.
- If you do not have symptoms, wait 5 days after your exposure before testing.
- Who should get tested
- Testing information & options
Isolation and quarantine
Information on what to do if you have been around someone with COVID-19 and need to stay home and away from others (quarantine) or if you are sick and test positive (isolation). Learn more about the steps you should take after an exposure and how long to quarantine or isolate.
- Close contacts or exposure to COVID-19 - MDH
- If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19 - MDH
- Isolation and Exposure Calculator: a tool from the CDC to help you decide if you need to isolate after a COVID-19 exposure.
Isolation and quarantine guidelines (PDF)
Guidance for school, travel and holidays
Guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Guidance for schools
- Schools and Child Care: COVID-19 - MDH
- Best Practice Recommendations and Case Reporting - Minnesota Department of Health
- School Year Health Recommendations for Schools - Minnesota Department of Education
- COVID-19 Data Tracker – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What to do if you are have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19
What to do if you had close contact with a person with COVID-19
Guidance for travel
- Travel guidance - MDH
Guidance for holidays
Community conversations and findings
COVID-19 vaccine community conversations report
Ramsey County continues to address health disparities caused by the traumatic effects of racism, an important public health issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these longstanding health inequities. In April 2021, eight community partners hosted 19 community conversations to gather information about myths, fears and hesitancies related to the COVID-19 vaccine that are specific to cultural and ethnic minority groups. The information was organized in a report that will help Ramsey County better address these issues when engaging communities about the vaccine.
- View the report (PDF)
Previous COVID-19 vaccine community conversations
Below is a sample of community engagement activities carried out by Ramsey County in an effort to hear from residents, answer questions and communicate important information about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Community conversation with Dr. Lynne Ogawa (Oct. 12, 2022) - Learn about updated COVID-19 booster and flu season.
Video (Passcode: F7ik?4lx)
Presentation Slides (PDF) -
Community conversation with Dr. Lynne Ogawa (Aug. 10, 2022) - Learn about COVID-19 and kids.
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Community conversation with Dr. Lynne Ogawa (Jan. 19, 2022) - Learn about COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant people, testing and Omicron.
Video (Passcode: $SquuR8@)
Presentation Slides (PDF) -
Community conversation with Dr. Lynne Ogawa (Sept. 22, 2021) - Learn about COVID-19 vaccines and testing during this stage of the pandemic.
Video - WCCO News Talk 830 interview (September 14, 2021) - Dr. Lynne Ogawa joins Sheletta Brundidge with her take on the spread of misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Listen (10 minutes)
- Community conversation with Dr. Lynne Ogawa (April 28, 2021) - Learn about vaccine distribution, the science behind the vaccines, their safety and effectiveness, and protection against COVID-19 variants.
Video
- Cities Speak podcast with Dr. Lynne Ogawa (March 30, 2021) - Ramsey County's Dr. Lynne Ogawa joined NineNorth’s Cities Speak podcast to discuss the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, clarify the process of vaccine rollout, and share notable positive experiences in helping distribute vaccine.
Video
- LGBTQ+ community panel: vaccination (February 24, 2021) - Ramsey County's Dr. Lynne Ogawa participated in a community conversation hosted by Minnesota Department of Health, JustUs Health and Family Tree Clinic to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine as it impacts LGBTQ+ folks.
Video
- Vaccines (February 4, 2021) - This community conversation focused on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution phases, the science behind the vaccine, and its safety and effectiveness. It was followed by open discussion and questions.
Video
Presentation slides (PDF)
- Dr. Lynne Ogawa: vaccinations (November 18, 2020)
Video
Help paying for COVID-19 funerals
If you are covering the cost of COVID-19 funeral expenses, FEMA may be able to help. You may qualify for up to $9,000 per funeral.
- Learn more about who is eligible, what is covered and how it works
- Funeral Assistance FAQ
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Funeral Assistance (PDF)
- Asistencia para gastos fúnebres por COVID-19 (PDF)
To apply
Call FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 1-844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
- Available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Language services are available.
Reporting COVID-19 infections: Employers
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is requiring all disease reporters to report any cases of COVID-19 within one working day.
Who is required to report COVID-19 infections:
- Health care providers, clinics, hospitals, and medical laboratories.
- Long-term care facilities, pre-K-12 schools and child care, institutes of higher education, correctional facilities, and shelters.
Cases can be reported by fax or phone: