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Minnesota Department of Health

February 9, 2022

Minnesota News and Outreach

Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines

Still need to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster? Now is the time!

Vaccination is recommended for all people 5 years and older. This includes people with underlying medical conditions; people who have had COVID-19, are pregnant, or are immunocompromised; and those of different ages, races, and ethnicities. All Minnesotans age 12 and older should get a booster vaccine when they are due.

There are several ways to find your free shot – choose the one that works for you!

• Find Vaccine Locations at clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies near you.
• Minnesota offers free vaccination through the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program where you can make an appointment or walk in. Insurance and identification are not needed.

COVID-19 Messages from the State of Minnesota

The State of Minnesota and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) send messages about COVID-19 directly to Minnesota residents through text messages, phone calls, and emails. Many of these messages are part of a program that provides timely and accurate information about:

• The importance of getting vaccinated.
• Where, when, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• State-sponsored vaccination incentive programs.
• Testing opportunities and the importance of regular testing.

Visit COVID-19 Messages from the State of Minnesota for more information.

MDH may also contact you by text message if you test positive for COVID-19. Visit Case Investigation and Contact Tracing: COVID-19 to learn more.

Scam warning: Please note that MDH will never ask for any financial information, your social security number, or insurance information during or after a case investigation. If you receive a communication from someone claiming they are MDH staff that asks for any of this information, do not provide this information to them, as it is likely a scam.

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

COVID-19 Testing Video Series

Check out the new video series focused on current COVID-19 testing recommendations using example situations at Videos for COVID-19 Response: Testing.

• When should I get tested? Symptoms
• When should I get tested? Gatherings
• When should I get tested? Close Contact
• When should I get tested? Sick Family Member
• When should I get tested? International Travel
• I got tested? Now what.

Mask Recommendations

Wear a well-fitting mask that fits snugly over your nose, mouth, and chin if you are in public indoor settings in communities experiencing high or substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission regardless of your vaccination status. If you are not up to date on recommended COVID-19 vaccines, wear a mask in public indoor settings regardless of the transmission level in the community.

MDH recommends wearing a mask in other specific settings or situations as well. Learn more at Recommendations for Wearing Masks.

Masks are required on public transportation, including buses and airplanes.

Wear a high-quality mask to help limit the spread of COVID-19, including variants like Omicron. Examples of high-quality masks are N95 or KN95 masks, which are very good at blocking 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.

Updated MDH materials:

• How to Safely Wear Your Mask (PDF)

• Tips for Wearing a Mask (PDF)

CDC resources:

• Types of Masks and Respirators
• How to Use Your N95 Respirator

COVID-19 Stories of Community Outreach and Partnership

COVID-19 Stories of Community Outreach and Partnership highlight the efforts of our staff in collaboration with community partners during the COVID-19 response. Some stories provide insight into how this work is done, others discuss what challenges our teams face, but all of them recognize how COVID-19 has pushed MDH to try new strategies so we can fulfill our mission of protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans.

SEWA-AIFW: Meeting the needs of the community

Raj Chaudhary, executive director at SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness), a nonprofit organization committed to serving the South Asian community, emphasized how pre-existing partnerships with Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and other foundations provided opportunities for her organization to meet the multi-faceted community challenges of COVID-19, including increased food insecurity, inadequate shelter, sexual violence, mental health, and access to testing and vaccinations. Despite these numerous challenges, and keeping staff afloat, the organization was able to tirelessly respond to community during COVID-19, whilst promoting self-care amongst its staff.

Through mobile units, MDH continues to support their testing, vaccination, and resource sharing efforts across partners. SEWA-AIFW partnered with MDH and Hennepin County Public Health to distribute personal protective equipment kits (hundreds of saliva test kits, 15,000 masks, and 5,000 hand sanitizers) to temples, churches, and mosques in communities. Read more: SEWA-AIFW: Meeting the needs of the community

Guidance and Resources

NEW:

• Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know (PDF)

• Operational Guidance for Monoclonal Antibodies (PDF)

• Shelter-in-place Guidance During COVID-19 Surges in Homeless Shelters (PDF)

• SEWA-AIFW: Meeting the needs of the community

• Videos for COVID-19 Response: Testing

UPDATED:

• About COVID-19

• Protect Yourself & Others

• If You Are Sick or Test Positive
• What to Do While You Wait for a COVID-19 Test Result (PDF)
• How to Safely Wear Your Mask (PDF)
• Tips for Wearing a Mask (PDF)
• About COVID-19 Vaccine
• Schools and Child Care COVID-19 Best Practice Recommendations
• COVID-19 Testing in K-12 Schools and Child Care

• Vault Testing Information (PDF)

• COVID-19 Medication Options
• Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients
• Interim Ethical Framework for Allocation of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab during the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF)
• Access to Support in Hospital Settings: Patients with Disabilities and Pediatric Patients (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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