MARSHALL — Preparations for local coronavirus response are ongoing this week, as the number of reported cases in Minnesota continues to rise.

In a planning update on Monday morning, Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes said the city is operating under an incident management plan put in place last week.

“We’ve been operating under that since Wednesday,” Byrnes said.

Byrnes said the important goal for the city will be to ensure that vital functions like law enforcement, fire and wastewater services continue if COVID-19 comes to the area. Marshall has also taken steps to help protect people vulnerable to the virus, by temporarily closing down the Adult Community Center and in-center Senior Dining.

With schools closing down across the state on Wednesday, child care was another concern for area service providers.

The Marshall Area YMCA announced that it would be suspending normal operations at 5 p.m. Tuesday, to focus on providing emergency child care while schools are closed. Starting Wednesday, the Y will be using its facilities for “Emergency School’s Out Camp” from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“In light of the uncertainty created by the closure of schools and the increased threat of the coronavirus, we are pivoting our resources to best support the most pressing needs of the community,” said Marshall Area YMCA Executive Director Tom Bolin, in a letter to Y members.

The letter said the emergency child care program will have limits on the number of children it can serve, so registration is needed. In the meantime, Bolin said the Y is offering an on-demand fitness program that members can access at home.

While there were still no documented cases of COVID-19 in Lyon County as of Tuesday afternoon, Avera Marshall physician Dr. Steven Meister said it’s still a matter of when, not if, coronavirus arrives in southwest Minnesota.

Meister said Avera Marshall is continuing to limit the number of visitors at its facilities, and is screening everyone who comes to the Bruce Street campus.

“We need to err on the extremely cautious, conservative side,” when it comes to keeping vulnerable populations healthy, he said.

Some local resources are closing or reducing programs in response to COVID-19. Byrnes said the Adult Community Center in Marshall would close starting Tuesday, to help protect area seniors.

“It serves a population that is at an elevated risk because of COVID-19,” he said. While Byrnes said there won’t be Senior Dining meals offered at the center while it’s closed, meal deliveries would still be available.

Byrnes said the meal delivery program could face increased demand, but that would also mean more delivery volunteers will be needed.

Byrnes said the Marshall-Lyon County Library is expected to stay open, but it’s likely that the operations could change in response to COVID-19. The library could put more of its resources toward making internet access available, to help area students with distance learning.

Byrnes said he had been in contact with local retailers, and learned that their supply chains haven’t been disrupted by COVID-19.

“There is simply no good reason to be hoarding supplies,” Byrnes said. At the same time, he said people should still support local retailers.

Byrnes said the city of Marshall is following guidance available from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which include trying to limit large social gatherings.

Meister said people are still urged to wash their hands frequently and cover coughs, and stay home if they are sick.

Even with social distancing in place, Meister said it’s important for people to take care of each other when they are under stress. People can still interact with each other through video chat programs like Facetime, write letters, or enjoy outdoor activities as long as they’re not in large crowds.