Minnesota’s disaster declaration approved

Tuesday, President Donald Trump and the federal government approved Minnesota’s disaster declaration in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gov. Tim Walz requested an expedited major disaster declaration for the state on Sunday.

The approval authorizes federal assistance to supplement local recovery efforts related to COVID-19.

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Federal emergency funding can also help cover costs for crisis counseling, food, medical assistance, legal services and hazard mitigation, and state leaders have also said Minnesota will be reimbursed for the activation of an emergency response center, National Guard costs, law enforcement and mental health support.

The news comes on the day the Minnesota Department of Health reported 83 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, creating a total of 1,069 cases, and four more deaths, bringing the state’s total to 34.