Dine-in restaurants and other venues reopened in Minnesota at limited capacity yesterday. However, the state warns there still are some key concerns with the pandemic showing no signs of ending soon.
The latest phase of Minnesota’s reopening comes amid some positive signs within the state’s COVID-19 data. The percentage of new cases has been holding fairly steady with the number of people in hospitals beginning to show a decline. However, state Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says people need to be cautious.
“There is indeed a lag time between exposure and people developing symptoms,” he says. “Unfortunately, with COVID-19, we do see a number of people’s conditions getting worse with time instead of better.”
Health officials have said they’re also concerned that Minnesota’s death toll includes some otherwise healthy young adults. They say that’s why it’s important for people to remain vigilant as they enter businesses that have reopened. They remind customers to keep practicing social distancing and wear a mask.
As for public school buildings reopening this fall, Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann says they are working on a guidance plan with the Education Department that includes a number of scenarios. But she says they’re not ready to make an announcement because it’s an evolving situation.
“With each month, we have new information about how the virus behaves and how we understand it,” says Ehresmann.
There are still two rural counties showing no signs of the virus. They are Cook County and Lake of the Woods which includes Baudette.
Koochiching County has seen nine cases since the pandemic broke in March.
