Minnesota schools see ‘worrisome’ surge in COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 case rates are rising across Minnesota, and they’re affecting younger Minnesotans, especially middle and high school students. Minnesota health officials said Thursday that the number of school-related COVID-19 cases reported this week among students has now exceeded the peak seen during a surge of cases in November.  State health officials are not planning to issue sweeping recommendations or orders for schools to switch students to distance learning. Instead, they’re ramping up testing opportunities to make it easier for students to get weekly or biweekly COVID-19 tests.  Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says there is a mis-perception about COVID and children. She says some people believe that if a child does contract the illness they won’t get very sick.  “We do not yet fully understand the long term health impacts of illnesses on kids.”