Large Events, In-Person Learning Creating COVID Problems

Ehresmann specifically mentioned that this was of concern because of the delta variant.

“Our guess is that we’ll probably see a lot more cases after games,” Ehresmann added of the Vikings home games.

US Bank Stadium recommends that people wear masks, but they are not required.

This was also the case at the Minnesota State Fair. In the three weeks since the show ended, MDH has followed 318 cases to her. But, Ehresmann said that number is likely much higher.

“There is a greater portion of the people who, when we reach out to them to do the case interview, do not answer the phone, and many that we interview are unwilling to talk about their activities,” Ehresmann said.

“Since we don’t hear from a lot of people, we could probably multiply [the 318 cases connected to the fair] by three just to get a feel for what we think is a reasonable number, ”she added.

For those who attended the Harry Styles concert at the Xcel Energy Center, they had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

MDH also closely monitors how schools handle in-person learning.

“We are seeing a lot of activity with our schools in terms of COVID,” said Ehresmann. “A lot of COVID activity, a lot of cases and of course it concerns us,” she added of cases in schools.

According to MDH, during the past week, 167 school buildings have experienced an epidemic. MDH says the average number of cases for these outbreaks is eight to nine, but one school had 34 infected children.

“Unless clear enough mitigation measures are put in place, the situation will likely get worse before it gets better,” Ehresmann said.

She also expressed frustration that some districts are not using all of the tools and guidance that the ministry has put in place for in-person learning. As more cases emerge, Ehresmann said more districts have expressed interest in more testing for students and staff.

The key to slowing community spread, according to Ehresmann, is to layer mitigation measures – which include vaccination, masking, social distancing and testing, to name a few. Despite your immunization status, if you are attending a large indoor event, MDH says wearing a mask is important to help slow the spread of COVID-19.