The state health department says 69 new COVID cases orginated at the Minnesota State Fair, and Hennepin Health's Dr. David Hilden says he's not surprised.
"Not in the slightest," he told Susie Jones on WCCO's Healthy Matters. "In fact, I think that's just going to be the early returns, mind of like on election night. We are expecting to see increases in cases two to four weeks after any given event.
Dr. Hilden says there are plenty of people who went to the fair safely.
"We're not even clear the causality, like, what is actually leading to more cases," he said.
The 2021 Minnesota State Fair drew 1,301,584 people over 12 days.
"There are plenty of people who went to the fair and, I think, did so safely and had a good time," said Dr. Hilden. "They should feel okay about that."
Hilden again pointed out that getting a COVID vaccine is the best way to keep from getting real sick, and to stop the spread of the virus.
A year after the state fair was canceled because of the pandemic, there were no mask requirements or attendance caps as preventative measures at the historic fairgrounds in Falcon Heights.
Most of the fair attendees were seen not wearing masks, although those who did would generally wear them when visiting indoors exhibits.
The state fair offered free COVID vaccinations inside the North End Event Center, and the governor announced last week that 3,118 shots were given out.
"Thank you to everyone who made this convenient vaccination opportunity for Minnesotans possible," Gov. Walz said.
