by CHRIS ROGERS

Sauer Health Care Administrator Sara Blair said two residents at the Winona nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have two confirmed cases here,” Blair told the Post on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Winona County did not immediately confirm that news, but the MDH and Winona County Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday that two Winona County residents tested postive for COVID-19.

"These cases include two individuals over the age of 70," Winona County Health and Human Services officials wrote in a press release. "No other identifying information can be shared to protect their privacy."

"These patients are in isolation and recovering," county officials continued. "Winona County Health and Human Services is working with MDH and health care partners to address the needs of these patients and provide guidance to others who may have contact with them. If an individual of the public has been in direct contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID-19, they will be contacted by someone from the MDH."

“We’ve called our families and we’ve spoken to our residents,” Blair said. “We’re trying to be extremely transparent,” she added.

Two family members of residents posted online about the news earlier on Tuesday, saying they had received calls from the nursing home explaining the situation.

With limited testing of the general public, Minnesota health officials have warned for over a week now that there is likely widespread community transmission of COVID-19 happening in Minnesota and everyone should assume the virus is present in their community and take the recommended precautions .

Chris@winonapost.com