Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and others provided an update Wednesday afternoon on the COVID situation in Minnesota. The MDH is recommending schools follow the CDC guidelines including masking for all students this school year.
Malcolm is saying they’re following the same data the CDC is, and recommends masking again.
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“All students, teachers, staff and visitors in school buildings should wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status,” Malcolm said. “Again, this was an update that the CDC made just yesterday based on emerging and accumulating data on the Delta Variant.”
Already, Rochester School Board has approved a new mask policy after a unanimous vote. According to the Rochester Post Bulletin, Superintendent Kent Pekel repeatedly noted the mask policy could change. Masks are "encouraged" but not required according to the board notes.
Other guidelines the MDH is recommending involve social distancing, staying home if you're sick and for those who are not vaccinated, getting tested regularly.
Schools are encouraged to continue their enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices and ensure good ventilation.
None of this is required or mandated by the state. Instead, local districts will implement their own safety practices according to state Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller.
“So there is not a mandate that is coming from the Department of Health or the Department of Education,” Mueller said. “Every school district across the state, makes local policies, school board policies and they determine those either for legal reasons or also in partnership with their communities. School boards will be looking at whether or not they are going to be including a masking policy.”
The school guidance comes as COVID case numbers and hospitalizations are up significantly in Minnesota. Commissioner Malcolm says the Delta Variant continues to be a challenge.
“In the last week we've reported just under 2,800 new cases, a 72% increase over the number reported just the week prior,” Malcolm shared. “The speed of case growth is truly concerning. Overall case growth rates are more than double what we saw months ago.”
The Health Department, Governor's Office and even State Fair officials continue to encourage those who haven't done so yet to get vaccinated.
Fair spokeswoman Daniel Dellinger says they're offering free shots this year where anyone is eligible and you don't need an appointment, identification or insurance.
“We just think this is a very convenient central location,” Dellinger said. “You're already at the fair. We hope that you will stop in that building if you are not vaccinated to get your vaccine. It's just a short time to walk in, a short waiting period and then you can return back to the Great Minnesota Get-Together.”
The free shots will be available at a clinic in the North End Event Center at the State Fairgrounds.
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