The arrival of a new, more infectious strain of COVID-19 could present a serious public health threat if the trial for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis Police Officer who was filmed kneeling on George Floyd's neck, goes on in March.
Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, who for months has offered guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic, was approached by prosecutors in the case about what the COVID-19 landscape would look like when Chauvin's trial begins.
Osterholm did not paint a positive picture Wednesday morning when he told WCCO Radio's Dave Lee that late February and early March will likely be when the impacts of new COVID-19 variants will be felt.
"Particularly the B117 strain, which is a virus that we are seeing right now primarily having started in the United Kingdom where we're seeing 50 to 60 percent increased transmission potential with that virus," Osterholm explained. "Where it's taking off we're seeing major challenges. We have that virus in the United States and it's spreading at this point."
Osterholm anticipates there being 5,000 to 8,000 new cases in Minnesota per day from the new strain by March, which would mean that Chauvin's trial, if held then, would be risky.
"We could see major increase in Minnesota and around the country," he said. "I merely reflected the science of what we know back to the court. I didn't make a recommendation of yes or no, other than to say what the science says. The science says March could be a really rough time."
Earlier this month, Judge Peter Cahill ordered that trials for the four fired officers be held separately. For now, Chauvin will be tried starting March 8 in Hennepin County District Court.
J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao will be tried together beginning August 23.