Cook County update on new COVID-19 cases as Minnesota deaths surpass 2,000

There are now eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cook County among local residents since the start of the pandemic.
 
The most recent case, reported Sept. 27, is a woman in her 20s who is affiliated in some capacity with the local school district, ISD 166. Contact tracing is underway for anyone the person was likely in contact with recently and who may have been exposed to the virus, according to county officials who work in public health.
 
On Sept. 26, WTIP was informed by the administration from the local school district that they have a positive case from someone within the school. Principal Megan Meyers confirmed that school officials are working with local public health officials on this situation. Cook County Public Health Supervisor Grace Grainger spoke with WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs about the new COVID-19 cases and communication between the school district and local public health officials. Find the audio to their Sept. 28 conversation posted below.
 
In more COVID-19 news from the end of September, the state of Minnesota surpassed the grim milestone of more than 2,000 total deaths statewide since the start of the pandemic. That number is about the same as the entire populations of Grand Marais, Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder combined. This topic is also discussed during the audio file included with this story (see below).