Thursday, February 18, 2021

COVID-19 Updates: February 18, 2021

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Minnesota Department of Health

February 18, 2021

Minnesota News and Outreach

Vaccine Connector

Roll up your sleeves, Minnesota - Vaccine Connector

The Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector is a new tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

The Vaccine Connector will:

  • alert you when you are eligible to receive a vaccine;
  • connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment; and
  • notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area.

This tool is for all Minnesotans 18 years of age and older who have not yet been vaccinated. Insurance and identification are not needed, and signing up is free.

Sign up at Vaccine Connector. It is easy, safe, and secure.


Safe Learning Plan

As hospitalizations and new COVID-19 cases decline and Minnesota makes progress vaccinating educators, Governor Walz updated the Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year to allow more middle and high school students to return the classroom.

Beginning Feb. 22, all middle and high school students can return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning. Governor Walz expects all schools to offer their students some form of in-person learning by March 8.

In December, Governor Walz updated the Safe Learning Plan to allow every elementary school across the state to operate in person as long as they are able to implement additional mitigation strategies. Middle and high schools will be required to implement similar health and safety strategies, including updated physical distancing requirements.

In addition to the new health and safety protocols, students and families who are learning in person, in a hybrid learning model, or participating in sports and activities are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 test every two weeks. Visit COVID-19 Testing for testing options and information.

Read the news release: As Minnesota Makes Progress on Vaccinations and COVID-19, Governor Walz Announces Plan to Return More Students to the Classroom

Safe learning models: Distance learning, hybrid learning, in-person learning

Executive Order 21-07

Executive Order (EO) 21-07 went into effect Feb. 13, 2021, at 12 p.m. and is an amendment to EO 21-01.

The EO takes steps to further reopen Minnesota's economy safely, including:

  • Increasing the capacity in restaurants to 250 people, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50%.
  • Increasing indoor entertainment capacity to 250 people, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25%.
  • Increasing private events and celebrations capacity to 50 people, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25%.
  • Increasing gym and pool capacity to 250 people, while leaving maximum capacity at 25%, and reducing distancing requirement to 6 feet.
  • Allowing restaurants to stay open until 11 p.m.

Learn more at Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan: Loosening Restrictions and Stay Safe MN.

Changes Start Saturday, February 13 at Noon - Stay Safe MN

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Materials

We are adding new videos, print materials, and translated documents often. Check out the pages below to view, download, or print these resources.

COVID-19 Translated Materials

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response

Videos for COVID-19 Response


The situation is changing rapidly. Visit Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the most up-to-date information and follow MDH on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to stay informed.

What's New

Updated quarantine guidance

On Feb. 16, 2021, we updated our Close Contacts and Tracing quarantine guidance to align with recent CDC public health recommendations for vaccinated persons.

If someone has completed COVID-19 vaccination (two doses in a two-dose series or one dose in a one-dose series) and is exposed, they do not need to quarantine if ALL of the following are true:

  • The COVID-19 exposure was at least 14 days after their vaccination series was fully completed.
  • The COVID-19 exposure was within 90 days of their final dose of the vaccination series.
  • They do not currently have any symptoms of COVID-19.

People who live or work in a health care or long-term care facility, have been vaccinated, and have a COVID-19 exposure should refer to COVID-19 Recommendations for Health Care Workers (PDF).

Even after a person has recovered from COVID-19 or is fully vaccinated they should still continue to stay distanced, wear a mask that fits well, wash their hands often, and follow other precautions. For more information, see CDC: When to Quarantine.


Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams flyer

MDH and health care providers will never contact you and ask for personal information or credit card information in order to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

How to tell if it's a scam:

  • They ask for your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number.
  • They offer to sell you the vaccine.
  • They offer to ship you the vaccine.

If you think you spot a scam, do not respond to it. You can file a complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. For more information on scams, refer to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Scams (PDF).


Guidance and Resources

NEW:

UPDATED:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 21-07 UPDATES:

NOTE: As new Executive Orders and recommendations are issued, we will review and update the guidance and resources on our website accordingly. Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links to know when the resource was last revised.

Minnesota Helpline

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic

651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.


This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Health · 625 Robert Street North · St. Paul MN 55155 · 651-201-5000 GovDelivery logo

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