The Minnesota Department of Health identified no new cases of COVID-19 in Crow Wing County or surrounding counties Friday through Monday, April 24-27.

Crow Wing County continues to top the list of surrounding counties with 20 laboratory-confirmed cases. It is also the most populous of those including Aitkin, Cass, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd and Wadena.

Crow Wing County Administrator Tim Houle confirmed Monday a county employee is among those who’ve tested positive. The county was notified of the positive result the week of April 13, according to Houle, but because the employee was working from home more than two weeks prior to testing positive, no additional quarantine or isolation measures were required for other employees. Houle said the employee did not require hospitalization and is recovering at home.

More details on Cass cases

Cass County Administrator Josh Stevenson released more data concerning the confirmed cases there Monday. Cass saw its numbers rise most recently of area counties, adding two Thursday, April 23, for a total of five.

The fourth case was a middle-aged woman and the fifth case was an older woman who required intensive care at a hospital, but is now self-isolating at home. The other four people who’ve tested positive in the county are now out of isolation. All five cases are suspected to be a result of community transmission.

Cases by county as of April 27

• Aitkin — 1.

• Cass — 5.

• Crow Wing — 20.

• Mille Lacs — 1, with 1 death.

• Morrison — 1.

• Todd — 3.

• Wadena — 0.

Compiled from Minnesota Department of Health data.

Symptoms, recommendations and resources

In a majority of cases, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. Health officials recommend individuals and families make a plan in case someone gets sick. They also suggest following the same steps for avoiding the flu:

• Stay home and away from others if sick.

• Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or a tissue.

• Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water.

• Avoid touching the face.

The Minnesota Department of Health has set up COVID-19 hotlines available every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

• School and child care questions: 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504.

• Health questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903.

Visit cdc.gov and health.state.mn.us for more information about COVID-19.

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