COVID-19 community newsletter - May 26

  • News
  • May 26, 2021

What’s new? 

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Minnesotans have worked together by following safety guidelines and state mandates to ensure the health and safety of our residents remain a top priority.   

In Olmsted County, vaccination efforts continue to increase as more than 71.4% of Olmsted County residents have completed their vaccine series (statewide is at 57%). Olmsted County is also seeing COVID-19 cases decline. Last week the weekly number of cases was a total of 83 confirmed cases, which is our first time being under 100 weekly cases since early September. 

Now, as cases decline and more Minnesotans are vaccinated daily, the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Stay Safe Plan is reaching another milestone this week with the plan that was announced on May 20, 2021.   

Beginning on Friday, May 28 the remaining capacity and distancing restrictions will end. This includes: 

  • Indoor social gatherings will have no limits on size and no social distancing requirements. 
  • Restaurants and bars will no longer have capacity restrictions, party size limitations, or distancing requirements. 
  • Personal services (e.g. salons, tattoo parlors, etc.) will no longer have distancing requirements. 
  • Gyms, personal fitness, yoga studios, martial art locations will no longer have capacity requirements, class size limitations, or distancing requirements.  
  • Indoor events and entertainment venues will no longer have capacity limits and distancing requirements. 
  • Organized sports (youth and adults) will no longer have capacity limits and distancing requirements.
  • Places with workshops will no longer have group size limits and distancing requirements. 
  • Pools and swim parks will no longer have capacity restrictions and distancing requirements. 

The mask mandate that was set on July 25, 2020 played a critical role in mitigating COVID-19 and assisting our state and local pandemic response efforts. With new guidance from the CDC and Minnesota Governor Walz, it is important for our community to understand what this new guidance means.

At this time, masks will still be required within:

  • Hospitals
  • School district buildings, and
  • When traveling by public transportation (buses, airports, etc.)

It’s important to know that the CDC and the Governor are encouraging the continued use of facial coverings for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. Further, anyone – vaccinated or not – is welcome to wear facial coverings and should have a mask readily available for places where masks will still be required. This includes local municipalities as well as local businesses whose owners can make their own decisions regarding mask use.   

The response for COVID-19 is not over. Olmsted County Public Health continues to work hard to ensure that COVID-19 vaccinations are available to all to protect our community and visitors of Olmsted County.

View Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan for more information.  

A great comeback takes great teamwork!

Children and teens ages 12 and older can now receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This is another step in helping to ensure that we can protect ourselves and others and return to activities that we’ve missed.

How to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination in Olmsted County

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) 

Olmsted County Public Health is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to anyone who is eligible. Vaccine clinics are by appointment only and are first-come, first-serve.

The county’s COVID-19 vaccination registration webpage will be updated with new registration dates and times based on Olmsted County Public Health’s vaccination allocation. View upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics at our website.

Mayo Clinic

Children 13 and over can schedule an appointment through Patient Online Services. For 12-year-old children, a parent or guardian can schedule through their Patient Online Services caregiver account. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling 507-538-4040. If you or your child does not have a Patient Online Services Account, call Mayo Clinic Customer Assistance at 877-858-0398 to create one.

Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) 

All Olmsted Medical Center (OMC) patients 12 years of age and older are invited to call 507-292-7300 to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments will typically be available Wednesday through Friday (depending on the amount of vaccine we receive) and will take place at the Rochester Northwest Clinic.

OMC continues to reach out to patients in the following ways.

  • A message to your OMC MyChart patient portal account.
  • If you have email notifications for messages turned on, the email will read, “a new COVID-19 vaccine scheduling ticket available in OMC MyChart.”
  • If you have questions about OMC MyChart, you can call 507-287-2780 (8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).
  • By phone or text message for individuals who do not have an OMC MyChart account.

Other Options

Many options are available to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine, including local pharmacies and the State of Minnesota. The State of Minnesota Vaccine Locator can help you find opportunities for vaccination.

How to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccination:

  • Eat a good meal or snack and drink plenty of water ahead of the vaccination.
  • For youth receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, find tips from Mayo Clinic for answering common questions you or your child may have about vaccines from Mayo Clinic.
  • Review additional information about COVID-19 vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that has been approved for youth ages 12-15 on the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 webpage.