Just over two weeks after the Minnesota State Fair began (August 26), the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed 69 cases of COVID-19 that were probably contracted at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
“These cases occur in people who reported attending the fair during the period in which they were most likely exposed and infected,” MDH spokesman Doug Schultz told Bring Me The News on Friday. “We expect the number of cases associated with the Fair to increase in the coming days, as the Fair ended this past Monday.”
No vaccines or masks were needed at the fair, although both were encouraged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been encouraging the use of outdoor masks at crowded events due to the transmissibility of the delta variant of the coronavirus.
Speaking on Thursday, MDH director of infectious diseases Kris Ehresmann said three generations of transmission of the original strain of coronavirus would infect about 27 people, while the delta variant extends to about 343 people in three generations of transmission.
“When you go out in public, the best way to reduce risk and prevent it from spreading to other people is to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and social distance,” Schultz said. “In order to limit continued spread, the Minnesotas should be tested 3-5 days after attending large meetings.”
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The 2021 Minnesota State Fair saw the lowest total attendance figures since 1977, with a total of 1,301,584 attendees during the 12-day event. This figure falls by approximately 36% compared to the average attendance compared to the previous four fairs.
Concerns about the delta variant, along with the fair’s decision not to require masks or vaccination tests, prompted some entertainment, vendors and booth operators to opt for this year’s meeting.
Five DFL lawmakers even wrote to the fair’s organizers, expressing concern that the fair could prove to be a “publicity event” without stricter COVID mitigation measures.
Time will tell how much COVID-19 was spread at the fair.