14 Minnesota counties have 'substantial or high' COVID-19 transmission
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tuesday updated its face mask guidance for fully vaccinated people.
Because of the highly transmissible Delta variant, everyone in an area with "substantial or high transmission" should wear a face mask in indoor public spaces, the CDC said, whether they are vaccinated or not.
Which areas in Minnesota fall into these categories?
According to the CDC's data, as of Tuesday afternoon there are 14 Minnesota counties with "substantial or high" transmission. They are (in no particular order):
Substantial
- Roseau
- Traverse
- Pope
- Swift
- Cottonwood
- Waseca
- Dodge
- Scott
- Isanti
- Mille Lacs
High
- Redwood
- Wilkin
- Lake of the Woods
- Lake
CDC
Under the CDC's new guidance, it is recommended (not required) that everyone in those counties wear a face mask while in a public, indoor space.
Related: CDC: Face masks recommended for everyone in places with 'substantial or high' COVID transmission
The goal of the revised face mask recommendations is to slow the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
In Minnesota, this variant is responsible for 75% of all new COVID-19 infections since the start of July, with the state's Department of Health saying the "vast majority" of infections, hospitalizations and deaths are happening among the unvaccinated.
