Omicron: MN Health Officials Release Holiday Recommendations

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Health (MHD) released recommendations Wednesday for staying safe over the holidays as the omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads rapidly across the United States.

The omicron variant has overtaken the delta coronavirus variant and is now dominant in the nation, accounting for 73 percent of new cases, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Between Dec. 12 and Dec. 18, omicron reportedly made up 92.3 percent of all new cases in region five, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

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"As Minnesotans prepare for holiday gatherings, regardless of vaccination status, it is essential that we all use multiple layers of protection to avoid the worst impacts of Omicron to protect our family, friends, and neighbors," MDH said Wednesday.

"The bottom line is that if you are vaccinated and boosted, get tested before you go, and mask indoors when you’re in public, you can enjoy a safer holiday with your family and friends."

Below are the guidelines from the MDH:

• Get Vaccinated
  • "Minnesotans age 5 and up can be vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones — especially those who can’t be vaccinated and children under 5. Find vaccines for the whole family at mn.gov/vaccine.
• Get Boosted
  • "All Minnesotans 16 and older should get a booster when they are due (six months after receiving Pfizer and Moderna, and two months after receiving Johnson & Johnson). Researchers believe the Omicron variant is more transmissible than previous variants, but getting fully vaccinated and boosted significantly increases protection against severe illness or death from infection."
• Get Tested
  • "Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, test before gatherings to make sure you’re not spreading the virus to others unknowingly. Take advantage of one of the many free testing options the state has to offer, or make an appointment with a local clinic or pharmacy. If you are using an over the counter at-home rapid test, use it as close to your gathering as possible. If you test positive, no matter what kind of test, stay home. If you test negative, you should get tested again if you develop symptoms. Testing options are available at mn.gov/covid19."
• Stay Safe
  • "Wear a well-fitting mask while traveling and in indoor public settings like a grocery store, a shopping mall, or a school. Wash your hands and do your best to avoid crowded indoor spaces before getting together with family and friends — especially high-risk loved ones and children under 5 who can’t be vaccinated. Know the vaccination status of those with whom you are gathering to make sure everyone is safer when together."