The MDH’s weekly report does not give identifying information for students and staff members who die of COVID-19, but health officials in the past week reported a teenager in Beltrami County with a preexisting condition died of COVID-19.
“This is tragic news and I hope Minnesotans can pull together and do all we can to prevent another student from dying of this virus,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “We must stay strong and do all we can do to make school buildings safe places to learn and work.”
In a news release, Education Minnesota — the largest teachers’ union in the state — said it has urged MDH to release anonymous summary information on the school staff members who have died of COVID-19 and the students and staff who have been hospitalized from infections.
“This information would help school district decision-makers improve safety protocols for students and staff,” the release states.
Since the start of the pandemic, seven Minnesotans 19 and younger have died of COVID-19, according to MDH data.