submitted by rjohn@augsburg.edu
The following information, as well as links to more detail and information about health risk factors, are published on Augsburg’s April 30 COVID-19 Dashboard: https://sites.augsburg.edu/outbreak-planning/covid-19-alert-levels-dashboard/
In the most recent CDC report of COVID-19 community levels by county, published Thursday, April 28, both Hennepin and Ramsey counties remained in the low range. However, Hennepin’s 7-day case rate per 100,000 was just below the threshold for the medium community level.
The day after the CDC report was published, the 7-day case rate in Hennepin County moved above 200 cases per 100,000 population. This represents a medium community level, although the status will not be updated on the CDC web site until this coming Thursday.
At a medium community level, the CDC recommends that people who are immunocompromised or have high risk for severe disease talk with a physician and consider precautions, such as masking indoors and regular testing. The CDC also provides an extensive list of health risk factors, which people are encouraged to review, as there are a number of conditions that can make COVID-19 more severe.
Additionally, the City of Minneapolis on Thursday issued a recommendation that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors. This is not a mask mandate, but a strong recommendation from public health officials given the growing case rates in the city.
At this time, case numbers on campus remain low, and Augsburg is not implementing any new or additional COVID-19 requirements. We will continue to monitor the regional COVID-19 community levels and provide updates, as needed.