The Great Minnesota Get Back Together we have been imagining as recently as early July will no doubt be different when it kicks off in two days, which is why state health officials are urging people to wear masks and socially distance when possible.
The CDC this week updated its recommendation to encourage wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings in areas of high transmission. Nearly every Minnesota county meets that threshold.
State Infectious disease Director Kris Ehresmann said Tuesday multiple layers of protection -- the vaccine, distance, and masks -- are recommended during activities.
“This is another indication that the highly-infectious delta variant is changing the game, and causing us to urge more layered protection than what otherwise would have been warranted with earlier, less-contagious versions of the virus,” she said.
Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm answered yes when directly asked Tuesday if there was concern about the state fair, but she said fair officials have taken many recommendations including encouraging high-risk folks not to attend.
Cases are 84% higher than this time last year. 547 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 complications, about a quarter in intensive care.
