SAINT PAUL, MN – Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate approved a bill to provide emergency funding for combatting COVID-19 in Minnesota. The bill, authored by Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud), passed with bipartisan support.

“We are now ready to combat COVID-19 if it starts to spread throughout the state,” said Senator Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo). “We came together to fund treatment and testing so we can stay ahead of the virus and support the health of all Minnesotans. For now, we should continue to focus on flu-season precautions to keep our communities healthy!”

Senate File 3813 appropriates $20.899 million to the Public Health Response Emergency Account. In the event the funds go unused or are reimbursed by the federal government, the money will automatically transfer back to the general fund. The emergency funds will allow the Minnesota Department of Health, in collaboration with state and federal officials, to support disease investigation, monitor potential cluster outbreaks, provide information to the public, coordinate statewide response activities, and conduct laboratory analysis. Top legislators, the administration, and public health officials remain in frequent contact.

Public health officials have announced two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Minnesota. State and local officials are working with state epidemiological officials on contingency plans that could be implemented as the needed arises.

The legislation now moves to the Governor’s desk for his signature.