An uptick in COVID spread and hospitalizations has preempted the Minneapolis Health Department’s recent recommendation that everyone — vaccinated or not — wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses such as stores, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, schools, meetings and state and local government offices serving the public.
According to officials, the seven-day new case rate in Minneapolis has increased by 340% from 51 COVID infections per 100,000 people to 227 per 100,000 since mid-March.
“That puts us in the high community transmission category,” a statement from Minneapolis City Hall said. “We’ve also seen a more than two-fold increase in our seven-day hospitalization rate since mid-March from 1.9 hospitalizations per 100,000 people to 4.8 hospitalizations, which is above the caution threshold.”
According to Minneapolis leaders, they have used science to guide public health strategies throughout the pandemic.
“Because of these strategies, we have saved lives,” the city said. “This is thanks in large part to Minneapolis residents, employees and visitors — supported by businesses — getting vaccinated, getting boosted, keeping a physical distance, and wearing masks indoors.”
