Minnesota Governor To Quarantine After Coronavirus Exposure

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will quarantine for 14 days after coming into contact with a staff member who later tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, several media outlets report.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota health department Commissioner Malcolm will also quarantine.

None of the officials entering quarantine had substantial exposure to the infected person, but they all agreed to participate in precautionary measures.

"While Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm were not within six feet of the staff member for more than 15 minutes, they were in the same room as the staff member for the duration of a press conference on Monday," Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann said in a prepared statement shared with KARE 11.

Tschann said Walz, 56, has not yet been vaccinated against the virus. Flanagan so far has received only one dose of a Moderna vaccine.

Malcolm was inoculated with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine last week. The vaccine is believed to take up to 14 days to become effective once a dose is administered.

"The Governor hopes this serves as an important reminder for Minnesotans that, while we are close to the end of the pandemic, we must continue to take COVID-19 seriously. Wear a mask, social distance, get tested, and sign up to get vaccinated,” Tschann said.