State recommends COVID-19 tests for Minnesota protesters

State health officials will be encouraging people protesting the death of George Floyd to seek COVID-19 testing - regardless of whether they feel sick - due to the increased risk of the disease spreading at mass gatherings.

A surge in COVID-19 cases among protesters isn't a given - many are wearing masks, and protests are outside, which can diffuse the virus. But health officials on Monday said they are expecting that the gatherings will counteract some progress.

"Concentrated gatherings and loud talking, singing, yelling, you know, all of those loud vocal expressions, exacerbate the risk of spread," said Jan Malcolm, state health commissioner, though it is "mitigated ... by the fact that this is outdoors."

https://www.startribune.com/state-recommends-covid-19-tests-for-minnesota-protesters/570932552/