PICS Update on COVID-19 

How to Connect with PICS During COVID-19

To ensure your safety and the safety of our staff, the PICS office is currently closed to the public. We continue to be available and provide services remotely. You can reach us at 651.967.5060 or info@picsmn.org. Our friendly and helpful staff are available to answer your questions from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
 

Act Now. Stay Safe.

COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

• COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
• COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Training

Report a COVID-19 exposure by contacting us.

Testing in Minnesota

The state is now offering no-cost at-home COVID-19 saliva testing for all Minnesotans, with or without symptoms. This is in addition to community testing locations. See the link below to learn more.

COVID-19 Testing Information

Vaccination Information

PICS is following the guidance issued from MDH for vaccine allocation and prioritization and we will continue to provide additional guidance and information as it is received. PICS is not a health care provider and will not be providing the vaccine or coordinating the vaccine for any individual.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine and its distribution, please visit the following resources:

• MN COVID-19 Vaccines
• Who's Getting Vaccinated?
• Find My Vaccine
• MDH Vaccination Notification Form
• MDH Vaccine Information
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Phases and Planning
  • Guidance for Allocating and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine - Phase 1a (PDF)
  • About COVID-19 Vaccine
• Contact your local public health office on vaccination timing and availability.
• Contact your primary provider on vaccination availability and scheduling.

Follow future updates on the MDH COVID-19 Vaccine Phases and Planning website. If you wish to receive email updates about the vaccine, you can choose to subscribe to MDH COVID updates through the link on the top right of their webpage.

Helpful COVID-19 resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): How COVID-19 Spreads
• COVID-19 Multilingual Resources at the Minnesota Department of Health
• Minnesota Department of Health
• The Arc Minnesota – Helpful Resources and Tools for Families to Support People with Disabilities
• Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities 
• State of Minnesota COVID-19 Resource List of Assistance Program
• CDC – Coping with Stress
• Hunger Impact Partners – Free Meals for Kids

What is COVID-19 and its symptoms?

According to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before. The virus is thought to be spread from person to person contact and the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure. Older adults and people with underlying chronic medical conditions seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.

For more information visit the CDC website.