Staff photo by Fritz Busch Free drive-through flu vaccines will be available at the Brown County Human Services Building, 1117 Center Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling (507) 233-6820.

BROWN COUNTY — The Minnesota Department of Health reported that Brown County had 30 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bring the number of total cases to 1,760.

Brown County Public Health (BCPH) reported two additional deaths, bringing the county total to 21, 18 new laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Dec. 9 and 30 more on Dec. 10.

Cases ranged in age from teenagers to people in their 80s.

On Wednesday, there were 241 active cases in isolation, 1,471 cases out of isolation and 1,731 total confirmed cases in Brown County, according to BCPH’s Facebook update.

There were 25 new cases reported in Brown County on Dec. 8 and 28 new cases confirmed on Dec. 7.

“We’re feeling better better about the new case numbers that were in the 50s a week ago,” said Brown County Public Health Director Karen Moritz.

“We’re grateful to Brown County residents who are following guidelines including limiting gatherings,” Moritz added.

“We’re working with Minnesota Public Health and emergency management on the vaccine rollout. Healthcare workers in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facility workers and their residents are among the priorities,” said Moritz.

Vaccinations at medical and long-term care facilities are the goal, Moritz said.

“Vaccination dates are not set yet, but we hope for vaccine shipments in December,” Moritz said. “This is very fluid, flexible situation. We still need emergency use authorization.”

She stressed the importance of continuing to follow COVID-19 guidelines during vaccinations and for several months afterwards.

Brown County Public Health posted information on Facebook about two flu shot clinics, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14 at the Sleepy Eye Event Center and a free, drive-through, flu shot clinic, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Brown County Community Services Building, 1117 Center St. No insurance information is required at the New Ulm flu clinic.

“Now, more than ever, the flu vaccine is extremely important during a pandemic,” read the post.

Appointments are required for both flu shot clinics. Call 507-794-3691 in Sleepy Eye and 507-233-6820 in New Ulm for appointments and further information.

Renville County Public Health reported on his dashboard that there are 366 COVID-19 cases this week on Thursday. That compares to 375 cases last week.

There were 202 cases reported in Olivia, 184 in Fairfax, Renville 159, Hector 126, Bird Island 93, Sacred Heart 83, Buffalo Lake 76, Franklin 73, Morton 57, Danube 50.

There have been 32 COVID-19-related deaths in Renville County.

For more information, visit health.state.mn.us and renvilleco.maps.arcgis.com

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