Variants threaten rollback of Minnesota s COVID restrictions Walz will ease restrictions as cases drop, vaccination rate moves closer to 70%. May 5, 2021 4:00pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Minnesota has stepped up its genomic sequencing of COVID-19 patient samples to more quickly identify emerging viral variants amid the state s plans to phase out its pandemic restrictions, including the indoor mask mandate.
While Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled Thursday to announce a three-phase plan to eliminate business and social restrictions because of improving case numbers, state health officials said close monitoring of more infectious variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 is needed to prevent any resurgence in pandemic activity. The B.1.1.7 variant found in England largely caused Minnesota s latest wave of infections.