NEW ULM — While Brown County COVID-19 numbers have not been tracked since at-home test kits were introduced, the New Ulm Medical Center Medical Director Dr. Bryana Andert reports an uptick in COVID cases in the past two weeks.

“We’ve seen an increase in COVID cases, but most people had mild symptoms, are being managed on an out-patient basis and were not hospitalized,” said Andert.

She said COVID-19 symptoms can be tricky.

“They’re all over the board. Some may appear as a sinus infection, ear pain, sore throat, pink eye, fever, fatigue or respiratory things like a cough, shortness of breath but not respiratory distress causing people to go to the hospital,” Andert added.

She stressed the importance of people being careful if they feel sick.

“As with any illness, we always tell people if you’re feeling sick, try not to expose others to it. Don’t expose people to your symptoms by going to gatherings. Wear a mask, wash hands, cover a cough, like you would for cold and flu season,” Andert said.

She urged people who feel sick to do a home COVID test. Check the test kit expiration date to ensure valid test results.

For more severe symptoms, Andert encouraged people to go to the medical center emergency department that is open 24-7. The urgent care walk-in clinic is open 8 a.m. to 7 pm.. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

She recommended people consider fall booster vaccinations that may include COVID and flu shots likely to be available in September.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported numbers have climbed nationally in recent weeks.

COVID deaths rose 10%, emergency department visits climbed 13.5% and positive tests rose 1.3% nationally from the previous week, according to data posted July 29, according to the CDC website.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the statewide case rate (per 100,000) for the week of July 10-16, 2024 was 33.132.

The total (cumulative) number of positive cases including reinfections was 1,913,643 according to the MDH July 25 update.

Brown County Public Health Director Jaimee Brand said her department does not have the new 2024-25 COVID vaccine yet and she is not aware of anyone having the vaccine in hand yet.

“At this time, public health is not getting COVID vaccine this year. Rather, we will work with other partners providing the vaccine in the community,” Brand said.

She said the best advice for people right now is to wash hands frequently, wear a mask, keep a distance from others and test for COVID if you’re not feeling well.

“Testing will help limit exposure as long as the ill person isolates from others,” said Brand.

To protect against serious illness from COVID-19, the CDC recommends the use of 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines in people ages 6 months and older that have been approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The 2024-25 vaccines are expected to be available in fall 2024.

People who are up to date on COVID-19 vaccines have a lower risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 than people who are unvaccinated or who have not completed doses recommended for them by the CDC. Those who recently had COVID-19 are urged to stay up to date with their vaccines.

To stay updated on CDC COVID-19 recommendations and to learn more, visit www.cdc.gov/medical/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html