Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Rice County Public Health is encouraging residents to follow the CDC recommendation to wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The use of cloth face coverings may help slow the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the chance that a person who has the disease but doesn’t know it, spreads it to others. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should:

Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face

Be secured with ties or ear loops

Include multiple layers of fabric

Allow for breathing without restriction

Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

Children under age two, residents who have trouble breathing, or those who are unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance should not use a cloth face covering.

It is important to remove cloth face coverings without touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and to wash your hands after removing. Coverings should be washed regularly in a washing machine.

Rice County continues to collect donations of personal protective equipment and homemade face masks which will be distributed throughout Rice County. More information can be found at: https://www.co.rice.mn.us/499/PPE-Donation-Request.

Donation drop boxes are located at:

• Lonsdale Police Department, 115 Alabama St SW, Lonsdale

• Morristown Public Works/Sheriff’s Office Building, 109 2nd St SW, Morristown

• Dundas Highway Shop, 590 County Road 1 E, Dundas

• Rice County Government Center, South Entrance Doors, 320 3rd St NW, Faribault

As of today, Rice County has had 14 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19, ranging in age from 20 years of age to 89 years of age. Rice County COVID-19 data is updated regularly on the Rice County COVID-19 web page: https://www.co.rice.mn.us/494/Current-SituationPress-Releases

Together we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset and three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine (whichever is longer), and avoid close contact with people who are sick.