Ridgeview encourages masking, vaccination to reduce COVID-19 variant spread, hospitalizations

Aug. 20, 2021: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the COVID-19 Delta variant is driving new cases and hospitalizations throughout the United States and Minnesota – with the CDC reporting Substantial to High levels of community transmission in Ridgeview’s service area. Ridgeview is also seeing an increase in positive cases and hospitalizations, with COVID-19 patients in our system trending younger than in previous months.

The health and safety of our staff and patients is our top priority, and Ridgeview continues to follow CDC and MDH recommendations and prevention strategies – including the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), restricting visitors to the hospitals, staff/patient/visitor/vendor masking in all of our facilities, encouraging vaccinations and more.

As your health care system, Ridgeview needs help to protect our communities, ease the strain on health care providers and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The most important things you can do right now:

• Get vaccinated.
• Wear a mask.
• Stay home if you are sick.

Layering protections on top of vaccination – masking, distancing, and hand hygiene – significantly lowers your risk of COVID-19 infection.

For the most current information about COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at Ridgeview, visit https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/care-treatment/infectious-disease-care/coronaviruscovid-19/

On behalf of your local health care workers, thank you for taking these necessary steps to keep you and your loved ones – and all of us – healthy and safe.

Resources:
Minnesota Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control