ST. PAUL — Masks are now recommended in most of Minnesota’s 87 counties as the more contagious delta variant continues to spread.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more than 70 of Minnesota’s counties have substantial or high rates of community transmission and masks are recommended for everyone in indoor public spaces, vaccinated or not. The CDC uses the rate of new cases and positive tests over the past week to make its recommendations.
There are just five counties where community transmission is considered low and 11 where it is considered moderate.
The CDC’s masking recommendation is not a mandate, though businesses can require them.
Nearly all new cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are among people who are not vaccinated. Health officials believe more than 80 percent of new infections are caused by the more contagious delta variant.
Minnesota reported six more COVID-19 deaths Friday, and 1,012 new coronavirus infections were reported by the state Department of Health.
Meeker County’s case rate in the most recent reporting period, July 18-24, stood at 5.6, more than double the 2.2 rate from a week earlier. According to MDH statistics, Meeker County has had 2,699 confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
The state’s latest fatalities ranged in age from their 70s to their 90s and five lived in long-term care facilities. The number of nursing homes and assisted living facilities with coronavirus exposures has more than tripled in the last month.
More than 93 percent of long-term care residents and roughly 66 percent of workers are vaccinated.
Minnesota’s death toll is now 7,694, with 4,522 fatalities in long-term care. About 88 percent of Minnesota’s COVID-19 deaths have been seniors.
The 1,012 new coronavirus infections reported Friday were the result of more than 24,000 tests. The current test-positivity rate is above 4 percent and nearing the 5 percent caution threshold health officials use to determine whether the outbreak is under control.
There are 267 people hospitalized, including 80 in critical condition. An estimated 5,900 people with active infections are recovering at home.
Minnesota has administered 5.9 million doses of vaccine and 3.1 million have gotten at least one dose. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines each require two doses while the Johnson & Johnson is only one.
There are nearly 70 percent of residents 16 and older who have gotten at least one shot.
