Minnesota Cops Will Be Told Addresses Of People With Coronavirus

MINNESOTA — Minnesota police officers and other first responders will be told the addresses where a positive new coronavirus case has been identified and is still contagious.

Gov. Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-34 Friday, which allows the Minnesota Department of Health to share "limited information" about COVID-19 patients with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, 911 dispatchers, and first responders.

The state's Commissioner of Health has been directed to develop protocol for the sharing of information while safeguarding patient privacy.

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"First responders keep Minnesotans and their communities safe and help ensure that critical services continue to be provided — and it is imperative to protect their health and safety," Walz's office said in a statement.

"In compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, which protects private data, there are strict prohibitions against inappropriately sharing this information beyond those who have an emergent need to know it, and the Executive Order contains safeguards to prevent abuse of this data."