• COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus that has not been found in people before.
• Because this is a new virus, there are still things we do not know, such as how severe the illness can be, how well it is transmitted between people, and other features of the virus. More information will be provided when it is available.

Symptoms of COVID-19

• Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. 
• These symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.

Severity

• Many cases have mild or moderate illness and do not require a clinic visit and most do not require hospitalization.
• Those at highest risk for severe illness include older people or those that have certain underlying health conditions. These include high-risk conditions like a blood disorder, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, compromised immune system, late term or recent pregnancy, endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, heart disease, lung disease and neurological conditions. Check with your health care provider to see if you are considered high risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

• It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• It is also possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes. Washing your hands and cleaning frequently touched surfaces often is a good way to prevent you from getting COVID-19 from touching surfaces.
• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated isolation and quarantine guidance for the public. 

• COVID-19 Isolation and quarantine guidelines

Stopping this pandemic is going to take all of us working together.

• Get vaccinated. It is the best way to protect against COVID-19. Vaccination will slow the spread of variants and decrease the chances that new, even more dangerous variants emerge.
• Wear a mask that fits and filters well. See ph.lacounty.gov/masks for more information.
• Avoid places where COVID-19 spreads more easily. Including crowded places, closed spaces with poor air flow, and settings where people are talking close together.
• Improve air flow. Open windows and doors and avoid indoor spaces with poor air flow.
• Choose outdoor spaces for social and fitness activities.
• Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer often. Especially after being in public spaces where surfaces are touched by many people.
• Stay home when you are sick.

Minneapolis mask requirements

• Effective February 24, 2022 the Mayor has rescinded the mask mandate for spaces of public accommodation in Minneapolis. Read the new order to learn more. 
• Masks continue to be required for everyone indoors in the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Public Schools, Ramsey County, and Saint Paul managed properties. Face coverings also continue to be required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on public transportation, including school buses.
• Businesses in Minneapolis may choose to continue to require visitors and staff to wear masks in their spaces. 

Resources for wearing masks

• Wear a high-quality mask to help keep you and your neighbors safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing a high-quality face covering.
  • Examples of high-quality masks are N95 or KN95 masks, which are very good at blocking breath droplets, when infected a person can spread COVID-19 through these breath droplets.
  • If you cannot get that type of mask, wear a well-fitting mask with at least two layers of tightly woven fabric. You can also layer a disposable mask under a cloth mask to increase effectiveness.
• Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Minnesota Department of Health video on COVID-19 mask do’s and don’ts.
• Hennepin County videos on using, making and wearing cloth masks
  • View in English
  • View Spanish
  • View in Somali
  • View in Hmong
• City of Minneapolis Mask Guidance

City resources 

The City of Minneapolis has a limited supply of masks for public distribution, particularly for vulnerable populations. 

Businesses that would like to request personal protective equipment (PPE) should send a request to the Minneapolis Health Department.

Yes, people who are immunocompromised can receive a third dose of Pfizer (12 years and older) and Moderna (18 years and older)

• The third dose should be the same vaccine as the first two doses – if that is not possible, it is acceptable to use the other mRNA vaccine.
• The third dose should be given at least 28 days after the second dose.

What qualifies as immunocompromised for a 3rd Covid vaccine shot?

• People who have undergone solid organ transplantation or have been diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.
• An individual’s medical care team can assist with determining eligibility.

When can immunocompromised individuals get a 3rd Covid vaccine shot?

• Eligible individuals can get a third dose any time.

Where can immunocompromised individuals get a 3rd Covid vaccine shot?

• Individuals who are immunocompromised can get their third shot from their primary care clinic or any other COVID-19 vaccine provider.
• Find a provider at the MDH website

Why are the recommendations changing?

• Ongoing research has indicated that some immunocompromised people have a reduced immune response following a complete vaccine series.
• Receiving an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine may enhance immune system response

What about immunocompromised individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

• Those who received J&J are not currently recommended to receive a second dose

We do not replace vaccination record cards. People who receive a COVID vaccination in Minnesota can request a copy of their immunization records from the Minnesota Department of Health. Either fill out the immunization record request form or call the record request line at 651-201-3980. 

The Minnesota Department of Health has an interactive screening tool to help you:

• Decide if you need a test
• Find your closest testing site

Visit the Minnesota Department of Health

• The Minnesota Department of Health shares up-to-date information on Minnesota cases.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that those who have been infected have had a range of illness severity from mild to severe. A small percentage of those infected have died or had severe illness.
• In addition to the health risk for individual Minnesotans and the potential to overwhelm our health care system, the widespread outbreak has economic and social impacts.
• There is much more to learn about how coronavirus disease 19 spreads and how common it is to have mild disease or severe disease. Investigations are ongoing.

Visit the Minnesota Department of Health

Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2 changes constantly through mutation. These mutations add up and create slightly different versions of the virus, called “variants”. Sometimes, a mutation will result in the virus spreading more easily, making people sicker or making it resistant to treatment or vaccines. Currently, the CDC has found that all 3 vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from these variants.

See more on the COVID-19 variants:

• These variants are concerning because they are more contagious.
• New data suggest the Delta variant is different than past versions of the virus and spreads about twice as easily from one person to another.
• Vaccination reduces spread of the virus, which makes it harder for it to change and create variants.
• With the Delta variant, fully vaccinated people may be able to pass the disease to others.
• However, fully vaccinated people are less likely to get infected, and if a vaccinated person gets infected, the illness will likely be mild. The vaccine also greatly reduces the chance of hospitalization and death. That's why it's so important for all who are eligible to get vaccinated.