Clusters Of UK Coronavirus ​Variant Pop Up In Carver County

CARVER COUNTY, MN — Since late January, 84 cases of a highly contagious coronavirus variant first identified in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed in Carver County. The clusters of the variant have been linked to gyms, fitness centers and group sports, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

In a news release, the health department said the new cases resulted from community spread in both in-school and club sports, including hockey, wrestling, basketball, alpine skiing and other sports.

Cases connected to Carver County gyms and fitness centers also rose by 62 percent from Feb. 24 to March 4, officials said.

State officials last week recommended that Carver County initiate a two-week shutdown on youth sports starting Monday. They also recommended weekly testing of athletes, a restriction on athlete gatherings and stricter mask enforcement.

Health officials also called on schools to stay in hybrid learning, continue enforcing social distancing, and pause extracurricular activities that do not allow for distancing. Gyms have been asked to enact symptom screenings for staff, enforce strict mask requirements and to pause group classes.

“We are making progress in the effort to end this pandemic, but we need all Minnesotans to keep up their guard until the work is done,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said in a statement. “The variants circulating now present added risk that we may see another surge in cases and we need everyone to do their part to prevent that from happening. That means masking, social distancing, staying home when sick and getting tested when appropriate.”

In response to the new clusters, the health department on Monday announced it is opening a temporary testing site at the Chanhassen Recreation Center

Testing will be available from March 11 to March 13 and from March 18 to March 20. Appointments are encouraged but not required, the state said.

Testing at this site — located at 2310 Coulter Blvd. — will be available on these dates:

• March 11: 2 – 8 p.m.
• March 12: noon – 6 p.m.
• March 13: noon – 6 p.m.
• March 18: 2 – 8 p.m.
• March 19: noon – 6 p.m.
• March 20: noon – 6 p.m.

At-home coronavirus testing is also available to all Minnesotans with or without COVID-19 symptoms.

“Our COVID-19 testing strategy has been data-driven since day one with the goal of offering low-barrier testing to every Minnesotan who needs it,” Dan Huff, MDH assistant commissioner for health protection, said in a statement, in part. “The sooner we identify positive cases, the sooner infected people can take steps to isolate and stop the spread of the virus."

Testing is provided free of cost, but participants with health insurance will be asked to provide their information. People hoping to be tested should avoid eating, drinking, chewing gum and smoking for at least 30 minutes before arriving.