Employee of Grand Marais hospital tests positive for COVID-19

Employees at both the local hospital and clinic in Grand Marais have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement sent to WTIP late Friday afternoon (Oct. 23), North Shore Health Hospital Administrator Kimber Wraalstad said the contacts the North Shore Health employee had with other people while in the facility are considered to be low risk exposures. In addition, the employee did not enter the Care Center in the last three weeks, according to hospital officials.

“We are working collaboratively with the Minnesota Department of Health and continue to follow the recommended guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention,” Wraalstad said.

The news of a confirmed case of COVID-19 by an employee of the Grand Marais hospital follows a troubling week with regard to the spread of the new coronavirus in Cook County. The case count climbed to 13 on Friday, with the most recent person who tested positive being a Cook County resident who is a man in his 50s.  This is the fifth case of COVID-19 confirmed in Cook County in the past two weeks.

“Please know that we are taking all precautions to stop the spread of this virus,” Wraalstad said. “For all of us at North Shore Health, providing the best possible care and protecting the health and wellness of our patients, residents and employees is our highest priority.”