[ad_1]
Just over two weeks since the start of the Minnesota State Fair (August 26), the Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 69 cases of COVID-19 that were likely contracted during the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
“These cases involve people who said they attended the fair during the period in which they were most likely exposed and infected,” MDH spokesman Doug Schultz told Bring Me The on Friday. News. “We expect the number of cases associated with the Fair to increase in the coming days, as the Fair ended last Monday.”
Vaccines and masks were not mandatory at the fair, although both were strongly encouraged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has encouraged outdoor masks to be worn during crowded events due to the transmissibility of the delta variant of the coronavirus.
Speaking on Thursday, MDH infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann said three generations of transmission of the original coronavirus strain would typically infect around 27 people, while the delta variant spreads to around 343 people in three generations of transmission.
“When you go out in public, the best way to lower your risk and prevent the spread to others is to get the vaccine, wear a mask and respect social distancing,” Schultz said. “In order to limit the continued spread, Minnesotans should get tested 3-5 days after attending large gatherings.”
Subscribe: subscribe to our BREAKING NEWS newsletters
The 2021 Minnesota State Fair saw its lowest total attendance since 1977, with a total of 1,301,584 attendees during the 12-day event. This figure is down about 36% compared to the average attendance of the four previous shows.
Concerns about the delta variant – coupled with the fair’s decision not to require masks or proof of vaccination – resulted in some acts of entertainment, vendors and kiosk operators withdrawing from this year’s reunion.
Five DFL lawmakers even wrote to the fair’s organizers, expressing concern that the fair could turn out to be a “super-broadcast event” without more stringent COVID mitigation measures.
Time will tell how much COVID-19 has spread at the fair.
[ad_2]
Source link