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Minnesota Department of Health

January 13, 2022

Minnesota News and Outreach

Updated Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations

MDH reviewed CDC: Quarantine and Isolation and updated our website to align with their new guidance. The updated guidance applies to the general population, including some settings like schools; however, the guidance does not apply to health care settings, correctional institutions, or homeless shelters.

If You Are Sick or Test Positive
Information on what to do if you are sick or test positive and need to stay home and away from others (isolation).

• Learn more about the steps you should take if you have COVID-19 symptoms, what happens after you test positive, and how long to isolate.

Close Contacts and Quarantine
Information on what to do if you were in close contact with someone with COVID-19 and need to stay home and away from others (quarantine).

• Learn more about the steps you should take after an exposure, who does not need to quarantine, and how long to quarantine.

These updated recommendations come as the Omicron variant is now rapidly spreading throughout the United States causing very high case rates. This new isolation and quarantine guidance emphasizes the continued need to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

Some MDH materials and guidance documents are still being updated, so more will be available in the coming days.

MDH continues to recommend layered prevention strategies to slow the spread. Minnesotans should get vaccinated, get boosted when eligible, wear masks in indoor public places, get tested when recommended, wash hands frequently, and stay home if you are sick.

Kids Deserve a Shot!

Governor Walz announced the launch of the next phase of the Kids Deserve a Shot vaccine incentive program to encourage Minnesota families to get their kids 5- to 11-years old fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

While Minnesota is one of the leaders in the nation in vaccinating children 5- to-11 years old, this is still the lowest rate of vaccination among eligible age groups in the state. As the Omicron variant causes record-breaking new cases, this program aims to help boost vaccination rates and protect children against severe illness and hospitalizations.

Eligibility requirements:

• Minnesotans must be: 
  • at least 5 years old at the time of one or both shots.
  • and 11 or younger at the time of their first shot.  
• Minnesotans 5-11 years old must receive both their first and second doses between Jan. 1, 2022, and Feb. 28, 2022. 

Families are able to receive one $200 Visa gift card per each eligible 5- to-11-year-old fully vaccinated during this time. The reward registration form will open at 10 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2022.

Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarships for all Minnesotans 5-11 years old who are fully vaccinated.

 Visit Kids Deserve a Shot! for more information.

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.

Materials and Resources for COVID-19 Response Videos for COVID-19 Response

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

Booster Update

All Minnesotans age 12 and older should get a booster shot. The timing of your booster shot depends on the vaccine you received for your initial vaccine series.

If you got Pfizer vaccine:

All Minnesotans age 12 and older should get a booster shot 5 months after their second dose. People who are 12-17 years old can only receive the Pfizer vaccine as their booster dose.

If you got Moderna vaccine:

All Minnesotans age 18 and older should get a booster shot 5 months after their second dose.

If you got Johnson & Johnson vaccine:

All Minnesotans age 18 and older should get a booster shot 2 months after their first dose.

Officials authorized "mixing and matching" COVID-19 vaccine boosters, meaning adults age 18 and older can get any of the three currently authorized or approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson) – regardless of what vaccine you received for your primary series. Pfizer and Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred over Johnson & Johnson for booster vaccination. People 12-17 years of age are not allowed to "mix and match" and can only receive the Pfizer vaccine as their booster dose.

Updated Mask Recommendations

MDH recommends wearing a high-quality mask to help limit COVID-19, including variants like Omicron. Examples of high-quality masks include N95 or KN95 masks, which are very good at blocking droplets.

If you do not have this type of mask, wear a mask with two or more layers of tightly woven fabric. You can also layer a disposable mask under a cloth mask to increase effectiveness. The cloth mask should press the edges of the disposable mask snugly against your face.

Do not wear face coverings made of thinner, loosely woven, or single-layer fabric such as certain types of masks, scarves, neck gaiters, or bandannas. They are not as effective for blocking droplets that come out when speaking, coughing, or sneezing. If you wear a scarf or neck gaiter for warmth, also wear a mask underneath it.

Community Testing Updates

Community testing sites offer rapid antigen nasal swab tests, PCR saliva tests, or both. Minnesotans can visit any COVID-19 community testing site. However, PCR tests are the recommended testing option for people who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests are recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 who need results quickly. Visit COVID-19 Community Testing to learn more about the types of sites, how to schedule an appointment, and what to expect.

Temporary location change: The Minneapolis Convention Center site will be closed Jan. 17-21, and testing will temporarily move to U.S. Bank Stadium from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during that time.

Minnesotans can walk-in to most sites, but everyone is strongly encouraged to make an appointment ahead of time. Some sites may be open for appointments only depending on capacity and demand. Find details at COVID-19 Community Testing Sites. 

Minnesotans can also take advantage of the state’s no-cost COVID-19 Vault Saliva Testing at Home program or drive through or walk in at most local Walgreens and CVS locations.

Guidance and Resources

NEW:

• Updated K-12 School and Child Care COVID-19 Reporting Guidance (PDF)
•  COVID-19 Messages from the State of Minnesota

UPDATED:

• If You Are Sick or Test Positive: COVID-19

• Close Contacts and Quarantine: COVID-19

• COVID-19 Testing

• Recommendations for Wearing Masks

• COVID-19 Medication Options

• Protect Yourself & Others
• Prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants during travel (PDF)
• Schools and Child Care COVID-19 Best Practice Recommendations
• About COVID-19 Vaccine
• COVID-19 Vaccine Basics (PDF)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Providers
• Interim COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Guide (PDF)
• Defining Crisis Staffing Shortage in Congregate Care Facilities
• Clarification of Staffing Options for Congregate Care Facilities Experiencing Staff Shortages

• Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients

• Ethical Framework for Allocation of Monoclonal Antibodies during the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF)

• Interim Ethical Framework for Allocation of Outpatient Antivirals during the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF)

• Suggested Criteria for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment of COVID-19 in Children (PDF)

• Interim Guidance for Use of Sotrovimab and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) for Pediatric Patients (PDF)

• COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Use in Pregnancy (PDF)

NOTE: Look for an "Updated" date below guidance links on our website to know when the resource was last revised.

MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline

For questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, call:

1-833-431-2053

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Minnesota Department of Health  |  health.mn.gov

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