Giving his daily briefing from his residence via the telephone, Gov. Tim Walz offered several executive orders to take effect immediately due to the COVID-19 outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walz, who is quarantined because his personal bodyguard has tested positive for the virus, signed into law an executive order placing a moratorium on evictions in the state and another opening up loans for the state\u2019s many small businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt would be personally cruel to execute evictions during this time and it would also be counterproductive to what we’re trying to do with social distancing,” said the governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rapidly evolving crisis has ramped up numbers of known infected in Minnesota to 235 as of earlier today. Over the weekend the state realized its first COVID-related death. Of those who have tested positive, 21 have been hospitalized with 12 still under hospital care \u2013 five of them in intensive care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKeep in mind, these are lab tested numbers. We know more cases are out there in Minnesota and the virus in continuing to spread,\u201d said Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malcolm said a daily public health hotline is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. by calling (651) 201-3920.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walz said he is not prepared to announce a \u201cshelter in place\u201d or stay at home order, but he said that is a last option as the virus spreads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForty to 80 percent of us are going to get this (virus),\u201d said Walz. \u201cThis is a very hard decision and all governors are agonizing over this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another of the governor\u2019s executive orders was to open up funds via the Small Business Administration to businesses in the state. Loans range from $2,500 to $35,000 and would be paid back at zero percent interest with a 50 percent forgiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis will help bridge the gap in these challenging times,\u201d said DEED Commissioner Joe Kelly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n