By Fritz Busch

Staff Writer

BROWN COUNTY — Brown County Public Health reported two new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 335.

Individuals with new, laboratory-confirmed cases Wednesday were in their 50s and 60s.

The update listed 10 county hospitalizations, 33 active/in isolation, 299 recovered cases and three COVID-19-related deaths.

Nine new Brown County COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday. One of the individuals was in their teens, one in their 20s, two in their 40s, three in their 50s, one in their 60s and one in their 70s.

Since Oct. 1, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Brown County jumped by 115 cases, from 220 to 335.

While there were no new county cases reported on two days, new cases jumped by 13 and 12 on two days.

The Minnesota Department of Health released guidance on why new COVID-19 cases are rising quickly:

• If someone with COVID-19 goes to a wedding, funeral, or any other gathering, they can easily give the virus to others. This is especially true when people don’t war masks and if they don’t stay at least six feet away from each other.

• What starts at one person with COVID-19 can quickly become dozens or more.

• Take steps to protect your family, friends and people you may not even know.

• Stay away from large gatherings.

• Wear a mask.

• Stay at least six feet from others in public places.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often. Always wash after being in a public place, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

• Use hand sanitizers on the hands only.

• Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, using your elbow or a tissue. Throw away used tissues.

• Stay home if you’re sick.

• Stay home as much as possible.

• Telework if you can.

• Avoid close contact with the sick.

• If you are 65 and older, or have certain underlying medical conditions, stay at home and avoid situations where you could be exposed, including travel.

• As of July 25, 2020, the Governor’s Executive Order requires people to wear a face covering in all indoor businesses and public indoor spaces, unless you are alone.

Wearing a mask stops respiratory droplets from spreading to others when you talk, cough, or sneeze. This is especially important because about half of those with COVID-19 have no symptoms, but can still spread the virus.

Wash your hands before putting on a mask and after taking it off.

Cover your nose and mouth, fitting the mask snugly against the sides of your face.

Wash your mask after each time you wear it.

For tips and things to consider when traveling, see CDC: Travel during the COVID-19 Pandemic (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during19.html).

The flu vaccine will not protect you from COVID-19. However, like COVID-19, the flu is a respiratory illness that can make people very sick.

It is possible to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. It’s important to take steps to prevent both diseases.

People most at risk for flu complications are those age 65 and older, children under age five, pregnant women, those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, American Indians and Alaska Natives.

For more information, visit https://www.health/state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).