Mr. Odoms: I wanted to write you a note and thank you for both your kind letter AND the work you are doing to ensure accurate information about COVID-19 is available. It is so valuable to have additional voices [not in government] who are helping to provide clear messaging on COVID-19. So thank you for your work! And thank you for the kind Certificate of Appreciation!
Warmly,
Kristen Ehresmann, Director | Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
As A PUBLIC SERVICE To The Residents Of Hamburg AND Carver County, I Wanted To Put Information On My HAMBURG WEBSITE To Allow Residents To Be Able To Easily Obtain Information And Statistics
About The Status Of COVID-19In Carver County. More Importantly And Like ALL Of The Other Information Contained On My HAMBURG WEBSITE, I Wanted To Ensure That The Information
Appearing About COVID-19 In Carver County Was Accurate, I Contacted The CARVER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT And Asked That They Verify The Information
I'm Posting On My HAMBURG WEBPAGE. The Response That I Received Appears Below:
November 4, 2021
Hello Dick, I am grateful for your concern and willingness to share this important information with your subscribers. I apologize again for the delay in getting back with you.
I did ask my Data Analyst to review your figuresand confirm their accuracy, and she agrees with you that Hamburg’s rate does appear to be higher than other cities. A screen shot of the most current graph
would support your assessment.
She also advised me to let you know that this data is based on the best information we have from the Minnesota Department of Health. It is important to note that the manner in which the data is reported can pose challenges to its accuracy, especially as it pertains to the specific location of the case. Some people use physical address when reporting and some people use PO Box; therefore, the “geocoding” of the data based on address may not always reflect their exact location. Sometimes this information may or may not always be within the specified boundaries of the cities your reference. This variation in data is not as much of a concern the larger the geographical area represented. Also, the relatively fewer cases in Hamburg may cause the percent to appear higher because the total population of Hamburg is lower, and one or two “outbreaks” due to a single exposure may have a greater effect on the percentage. This may or may not always be indicative of a greater transmission risk. This variation can be mitigated or average out if one looks at the data over time, which will give a more accurate reflection of what is actually happening. If the numbers or percentages are consistently higher, than one can assume that there is a greater risk of transmission.
Citing the source of your data like you have done will support the credibility of your posting because it gives your subscribers an opportunity to check the data themselves. We are consistently reviewing the data that the state provides us to make sure it is as accurate as it can be, but it is always wise to be mindful of statistical variations and artifacts that are inherent in the data and the manner in which it is reported.
I am hopeful this explanation is helpful. Please let me know if you have further questions. Thank you for your interest and concern.
Richard Scott, PHN, MPH, EdD, COVID-19 Incident Commander, Deputy Division Director of Health Services & Community Health Services Administrator, Carver County Health & Human Services
what the outlook for the future is for County residents, what the County is doing to help educate County residents, vaccinations, boosters, tests; dispel any false information that you may have heard; answers to
the many questions that Carver County residents would like to know and much, much more !! Carver County is INDEED FORTUNATEto have such a dedicated professional like Dr. Scottdirecting the county's Health
Services for residents !! To read more about the IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIALS of Dr. Scott, PLEASE CLICK HERE !!
Hello Mr. Odoms, I was informed by Commissioner John Fahey that you had reached out to me to participate in your special Internet show. I apologize for not having seen your request, and therefore the delay
in responding to you. I greatly appreciate your invitation, and normally I would be delighted to participate. Unfortunately, my schedule has been taken up with expanded duties to some of the very reasons you mention in your text to Commissioner Fahey. Perhaps, after the holidays if you are still interested in having me “appear” on your internet show, I would honored to participate. I hope you are doing well and staying safe and healthy. Take care, and I wish you the very best holiday seaon.
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The Following Disclaimer Applies To ALL Webpages Associated With BOTH Of My Websites & Will Be Updated On Individual Webpages As They Are Encountered.........
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Carver County Health Department COVID-19 Surveillance & Demographics Report
NOV 2021
MAY 2020
MAY 2021
JUL 2021
SEP 2021
2021
MAR 2021
SEP 2020
JUL 2020
NOV 2020
2022
Calculated by total cases divided by Carver County's estimated population (107,179).
You brought a smile to my face this morning when I saw and read your email. Thank you for the recognition.
We are scaling back on the frequency of updating our Website due to several reasons. One is due to the reason you specified, and second is due to the day to day variability of the data from the state. The weekly average provides a more accurate overall picture of the statistic in question. The final reason is to save some staff time who are needed to attend to other duties that have been placed on the “back burner” during this pandemic.
I do want to express my appreciation again for your support and being an ambassador for health and keeping our residents informed of important information. We are very fortunate to have citizens like you, and keep up the excellent work!
Richard Scott, M.D.; CARVER COUNTY COVID-19 INCIDENT COMMANDER
If You're A 'NEW' Visitor To My Website; WELCOME; PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN !!
If You're 'RETURNING' As One Of The 99,000+ Visitors,WELCOME BACK !!
Dr. Scott;
For a variety of reasons, I deemed it necessary to be tested for the Caronavirus. Because of the very effective manner in which your Department has/is 'promoting' & publicizing the availability of testing for Covid-19, I was aware that I could be tested at the Waconia Event Center yesterday (Monday 3-7-22) between 2-4PM.
I arrived at the testing facility at 2:00PM and was immediately greeted by the very first person that I met who was seated at a table at the entrance to the testing area. I was told what was about to take place and a second person escorted me to one of the testing 'stations'.
There, I was provided with complete, easy to understand information of how to register with VAULT HEALTH using my Smartphone, and receive prompt assistance when I was unfamiliar with what information the app was seeking.
I was clearly instructed how to provide an adequate saliva sample and when completed, was assisted with securing the sample to be processed by the Oakdale lab.
Dr. Scott; this whole process took about 15 minutes OR LESS from the time I walked in the door until the time I departed the building about 2:15PM.
Your staff that I encountered was polite, courteous, efficient, neat, clean, professional; everything that health professionals are expected to be. Please share this e-mail with everyone who represented your Department, AND Carver County, so admirably today !!
After leaving the facility, I received an e-mail (as I was told I would) at 6:20PM advising me that my sample had been received at the lab and that I could expect to receive a second e-mail from the lab within the next 12-48 hours of the test results.
IMAGINE MY SURPRISE when, four hours after receiving an e-mail acknowledging receiving my saliva sample, I received a SECOND e-mail, at 10:20PM from VAULT HEALTH with the results: NEGATIVE !!
What a WONDERFUL & EFFICIENT 'system' that you have in place to deal with the (hopefully) waning scourge known as Covid-19, its variants and all of its associated 'baggage' and challenges that it has presented over the past two years !!
THANKS to you and your ENTIRE staff for the collective, and individual, diligence and dedication to help make Carver County a safer place in which to live, learn, work & play. AND VISIT !!
Sincerely,
Dick Odoms
150 Jacob Street
Hamburg, Minnesota 55339
P.S. My invitation for you to be a guest on my Internet Show still 'stands' !!
Obviously; the above Websites, while still available on-line, are in a state of 'dormancy' and haven't been updated since Mike and Bud left Public Service.
Yes; Sheriff Kamerud is certainly welcome to be a guest on my show as well; I'd be honored. Sadly; I've never met or spoken to him, however, because of my respect and support of Law Enforcement, I designed a Webpage for him and his department as I did for you and your department: www.thedeltashow.com/AboutTheSheriff.html
ALL Websites are PRIVATELY FUNDED; NO taxpayer dollars, of any kind, are involved !!!
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with me. It warms my heart that you had a good experience, and I am glad that you tested negative. What a wonderful way for me to start the day by reading you delightful email. Thank you once again.
I will forward your comments to my team. I am very proud of them, and I know they are committed to providing the highest level of service they can to all those who live, learn, work, play and pray in Carver County.
I have talked with one of my colleagues who is serving as our team lead on our “Communities of Belonging “ initiative. He and I would be delighted to be guests on your Internet show. I will have him send you some background information to see if it is something that would want to showcase on your show. I can also check with him regarding his availability. What days would work for you in the next several weeks?
Richard
MAR 2022
E-MAIL RECEIVED MARCH 8, 2022
From: John Fahey
Time: 8:10 AM (2 hours ago)
To: Richard, Dick
Hi Dick, Glad you were negative! Stay active and safe! Thanks for the kind words!
Just a quick note to let you know how easily and smoothly, getting a second 'booster' vaccination went for me yesterday. I must say, and commend you and your staff, that, from my personal experience, you and your Department, really have the Covid-19 testing/vaccination program down to a 'science' (no pun intended) in Carver County. You can be very proud of what could be considered a 'model program' for the ENTIRE United States; probably even the entire world !
From my initial signing up for an actual Covid-19 test, to as recently as registering for and yesterday's 'showing up' to receive the second booster, NOTHING COULD HAVE BEEN DONE ANY BETTER OR MORE
EFFICIENTLY !! From the convenient location with ample parking and clear 'signage' to the very cordial, friendly and efficient staff, you've changed the definition of 'getting a shot'; it's no longer a hassle or a 'pain in the arm' !!
On behalf of my fellow Carver County residents, a BIG THANK YOU for commanding such an impressive Department. You, your staff and your Department CONTINUE to be a SHINING EXAMPLE of what 'local government is all about' (or, at least, it SHOULD be) !!
Sincerely,
Richard Odoms
Hamburg
Hello Dick
Thank you very much for your kind words. I am also very proud of our team! I will pass on your compliment to them. It will mean a lot! Also, I was just thinking of you yesterday. I hope to connect with my colleague Pat Stieg again to find a time to present on your show about our Communities of Belonging initiative, and our plans for supporting the recovery from the pandemic.
Again, thank you for your support!
Richard
Actually, the information that you sent me is ‘on the top of the stack’ of things that I want to accomplish! Looking forward to meeting you
in person and helping yo ‘get the word out’ about your new ‘concept’ and initiative. The document you sent me has ‘piqued’ my interest
and I’m excited about being able to do what I can to help raise public awareness of what you have planned
Ready for that all to happen whenever it’s convenient for you.
Dick Odoms
E-MAIL RECEIVED APRIL 13, 2022
From: John Fahey
Time: 7:21 AM (1 hour ago)
To me, Richard
Good Morning Dick!
Be vaccinated and stay healthy! Dr. Scott, his Staff and Carver County do a fantastic job!
According to the 2022 County Health Rankings released by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and supported by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation.
CARVER COUNTY RANKED FIRST AMONG ALL MINNESOTA COUNTIES AS MINNESOTA'S HEALTHIEST
COUNTYIN BOTH HEALTH OUTCOMES & HEALTH FACTORS FOR THE 10TH STRAIGHT YEAR !!
