COVID-19 Health Resources
Accurate medical information about COVID-19, testing and what to do if you get sick.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
Immigrant and refugee communities
Anyone who is sick should seek medical care without fear, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay for health services.
Long COVID
Long COVID (also known as post-COVID) is when people experience ongoing symptoms for four or more weeks after being infected with the COVID-19 virus. The signs and symptoms can be new, returning or ongoing. They can last for months and range from mild to severe.
Who can get long COVID?
Anyone who has tested positive with the COVID-19 virus can develop long COVID, including children. Long COVID is more common in people who experienced severe illness, but it can also happen to people who had no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Vaccinated people have a lower risk of developing long COVID, no matter when they test positive for COVID-19.
Symptoms
There is no test that can diagnose long COVID, so understanding your symptoms is very important. Long COVID symptoms are different from person to person. Each person may have different combinations of symptoms. Talk to a health care provider if you are not feeling well and your symptoms are interrupting daily life. Learn more about long COVID symptoms.
Treatment and help
Health professionals are studying long COVID to better understand the cause and find effective treatments. If you have symptoms of long COVID, medical and social support may be available to you. Learn more about long COVID support options.
Not able to work because of long COVID?
MN RETAIN is a new program that helps workers who are not working because of an injury or illness. The program provides resources so employees can stay at work or return to work as soon as they are feeling better.
- Call 507-284-4537.
- Learn more at mnretain.com.
- MN RETAIN flyer.
Updated guidance for when you are sick
Different strategies are recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses.
- If you have symptoms, stay home and test immediately.
- Who should get tested.
- Testing information & options.
Stay home and away from others when sick
If you notice you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, stay home and away from others. Wear a mask and test for COVID-19. Normal activities can be resumed after your symptoms improve and 24 hours have passed without a fever or use of medication to reduce fever.
For the first 5 days after experiencing no symptoms, use multiple prevention strategies to stop the spread of the virus. Ways to stop the spread of respiratory viruses include:
- Stay up to date with vaccinations to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization and death. This includes flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines.
- Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Take steps for cleaner air, such as purifying indoor air, bringing in more fresh air or gathering outdoors.
- Test for respiratory viruses.
- Find COVID treatment options.
- Wear a mask.
- Distance yourself from others.
Learn more about the new guidance.
Updated respiratory virus guidance
Get answers to your COVID-19 questions
Minnesota Department of Health
For general information about the COVID-19 pandemic
- Call 833-431-2053 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
- Visit mn.gov/findmyvaccine
- Connect to a representative in American Sign Language.
Ramsey County
For questions about the COVID-19 vaccine in Ramsey County.
- 651-266-1190 (Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Vaxchat
A chatbot from Johns Hopkins that answers COVID-19 vaccine questions.
MN Black community
A 24/7 hotline providing callers with information about testing and resources that support food security, physical and mental health, employment, housing, childcare, legal rights and other COVID-19 related challenges.
Minnesota Department of Human Services Resettlement Network
A hotline that ensures refugees and immigrants can get accurate, timely information about COVID-19.
- Call 651-318-0989 (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
- More information (PDF)
Hacer Spanish hotline
A hotline sponsored by HACER and the Minnesota Department of Health that provides resources and assistance related to COVID-19.
Briva Health
A hotline in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health to help Minnesota communities access essential resources during the pandemic. Hotline staff speak multiple languages and can assist Minnesotans in their native languages.
- Call 1-833-567-6662 (available everyday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
- More information
Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Discrimination Helpline allows Minnesotans who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents.
Guidance for schools
Guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Guidance for schools
- Schools and Child Care: COVID-19 - MDH
- Best Practice Recommendations and Case Reporting - Minnesota Department of Health
- School Year Health Recommendations for Schools - Minnesota Department of Education
- COVID-19 Data Tracker – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What to do if you are have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19
What to do if you had close contact with a person with COVID-19
Help paying for COVID-19 funerals
The COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025 to those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic.
If you are paying for a COVID-19 funeral, FEMA may be able to help. You may qualify for up to $9,000 per funeral. Call FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 1-844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
Reporting COVID-19 infections: Employers
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is requiring all disease reporters to report any cases of COVID-19 within one working day.
Who is required to report COVID-19 infections:
- Health care providers, clinics, hospitals, and medical laboratories.
- Long-term care facilities, pre-K-12 schools and child care, institutes of higher education, correctional facilities, and shelters.
Cases can be reported by fax or phone: