Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 16 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nobles County. In response, Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) issued the following statement:

“I have been in touch with officials from Nobles County, the City of Worthington, and Sanford Health regarding the coronavirus outbreak in southwestern Minnesota. I have been assured that Worthington’s hospital is well-equipped to handle any increased patient volumes associated with this outbreak – and if a patient cannot be treated locally, they will be transported to Sioux Falls.

“The steps that our health care systems and local governments have been taking to prepare over the past several weeks means they are able to respond appropriately to this outbreak. I have been told there are adequate supplies of both testing materials and personal protective equipment (PPE). Drive-through testing is available at the Sanford Worthington Clinic for individuals with a physician’s referral.

“In addition, I have been in touch with Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson, who is monitoring the situation very closely due to the importance of the facility to the food chain and the farming community. Finally, officials from JBS Pork in Worthington have assured me they have taken significant action to enhance safety and cleaning protocols, employ social distancing, and make other temporary changes to protect employees as the plant continues to operate in a limited capacity.

“I will continue to monitor the situation closely and stand ready to assist in any way that I can. Meanwhile, I encourage the residents of District 22 to continue following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health. We will get through this.”

Senator Bill Weber, of Luverne, represents Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone Redwood, and Rock counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee.