The COVID-19 vaccine has made its arrival in Douglas County. As of Monday afternoon, Dec. 21, frontline workers at Alomere Health began getting the first vaccinations, according to Eddie Reif, director of community relation at Alomere Health.
On Alomere Health’s Facebook page, a post read, “Today marks the end of the darkest days of the year. As the days get longer, and as our frontline workers get the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, we have renewed hope that days of sickness and quarantine will be behind us. Thank you for continuing to be vigilant and careful. We will come out of this stronger than before.”
Vaccines for the general public are expected to be available by early summer.
In a previous article, Reif said the limited number of vaccines will first be distributed to those frontline workers who have the greatest potential of contracting COVID-19 – ER staff, ambulance, hospitalists and staff working the COVID-19 inpatient unit.
When the vaccine becomes available to the public, Reif said the logistics of how it will be administered is still in the discussion phase.
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He also stressed that getting the vaccine does not mean people are immune to contracting or spreading COVID-19. He said it simply means that people would have a less likely chance of contracting COVID-19 and symptoms may not be as severe.
COVID update
Total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Health in Douglas County and the surrounding area as of Dec. 21 (cumulative):
Douglas County – 3,330 (55 deaths).
Grant – 361 (7 deaths).
Otter Tail – 4,081 (43 deaths).
Pope – 673 (3 deaths).
Stearns – 16,478 (160 deaths).
Stevens – 652 (6 deaths)
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Todd – 2,189 (23 deaths).
Statewide (cumulative) – 399,311 (4,872 deaths).
Active cases in Douglas County – 161 (according to Horizon Public Health as of Dec. 21).
