Walz Expected To Announce Mask Mandate: Watch Live Stream

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce a statewide mask mandate on Wednesday as part of his administration's strategy to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Local governments across the nation, including more than a dozen cities in Minnesota, have enacted face-covering requirements this month as COVID-19 cases spike in the United States.

St. Louis Park is the latest city in Minnesota to pass a city-wide mask mandate to slow the spread of coronavirus. The St. Louis Park City Council approved the measure Tuesday night.

Walz and other state officials will address the media Wednesday at 2 p.m. A source told the Star Tribune that the news conference is about masks.

Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Bakst confirmed the report as well:

More than 47,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Minnesota since March. More than 1,500 Minnesotans have died from the virus, including a 9-month-old whose death was announced by the Minnesota Department of Health Monday.

The child's death was an "isolated incident" in a "very specific" situation, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told media in a phone conference Monday afternoon.

Monday marked the first time someone under the age of 20 has died of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Prior to Monday, two people in the 20 to 29 age range died from the virus.