COVID-19 newsletter - January 20, 2022

  • News
  • Jan 20, 2022
COVID-19 Newsletter

Have you received your vaccine or booster?

Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection may decrease over time. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts to protect against COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccines and booster are safe and effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and related hospitalizations and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination for everyone five and older and boosters for everyone 12 and older. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our communities.

Pfizer boosters are available for everyone 12 and older five months after completing the primary series. Only people 18 and older may receive the Moderna (5 months after vaccination series) or Johnson & Johnson (2 months after vaccination) booster.

Masking is still important

Masks offer protection against all variants, including Omicron. The CDC and MDH continue to recommend that everyone two years or older wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status.

City of Rochester mask requirement: Frequently asked questions
Effective January 16, 2022, the City of Rochester issued a mask requirement for all indoor facilities within city limits. The following frequently asked questions are posted on their website to guide residents and visitors.

Why should I wear a face mask?
Wearing masks helps you protect others by preventing your germs from infecting them, especially in situations where you may spread the virus without symptoms. The CDC recommends wearing face masks that have two or more layers in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores and pharmacies.

Where are face masks required in the City of Rochester?
Face masks are required in all indoor places that the public can access beginning at 6:00 am on January 16, 2022.

How long does the emergency mask order last?
The mask requirement is set to expire at 11:59 pm on February 7, 2022. The Rochester City Council has the ability to either rescind or extend the requirement based on the local situation. Note individual businesses/organizations reserve the right to require patrons wear masks after this emergency order expires.

Do I still need to wear a mask if I am vaccinated?
Yes, all individuals aged two years and older are required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces in the City of Rochester.

What are the exceptions?
This order does not apply to:

  • Children two years of age or younger.
  • Individuals actively eating or drinking.
  • Individuals unable to wear a face covering due to medical, disability, or developmental reasons.
  • Individuals speaking to an audience, whether in person or through broadcast, as long as the speaker remains six feet or more away from other individuals.
  • Individuals speaking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing and requires the mouth to be visible to communicate.
  • Participants in youth sports.
  • Athletes, performers, and supporting staff competing or performing at indoor spaces.
  • How does this requirement apply to restaurants?
  • Individuals must wear a face mask unless seated at a table.

Do I need to wear my mask on Rochester Public Transportation (RPT)?
Masks are required on RPT buses by order of the Transportation Security Administration.

Are masks required at gyms, fitness centers, and sports facilities?
Participants, staff, and spectators inside these types of venues are required to wear a face covering at all times when they are within six feet of another person. These venues include, but are not limited to: pools, trampoline parks, gymnastics facilities, hockey/skating arenas and climbing walls.

How is the mask requirement being enforced?
Violation of the city-wide mask requirement is not a criminal offense. However, any individual that fails to comply may be asked to leave by the business/organization. If an individual refuses to leave, law enforcement may be called to enforce trespassing laws.

Any business found in violation of the mask requirement may be subject to administrative action for any licenses they possess with the city.


Quarantine and isolation guidance

The CDC shortened the recommended time for isolation for people testing positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to five days, if asymptomatic. This is to be followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others.

The CDC and the MDH recommended the following quarantine periods for those exposed to COVID-19:

  • People not vaccinated or more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted: The CDC now recommends quarantining for five days. They should follow up with strict mask use for an additional five days.
  • People who received their booster shot: These individuals do not need to quarantine following an exposure but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure when around others.
  • All who have been exposed: Anyone exposed to COVID should get tested five days after the point of exposure. If symptoms develop, get tested and quarantine immediately. 

USPS At-Home Antigen tests

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.

The tests available for order:

  • Are rapid antigen at-home tests.
  • Can be taken anywhere.
  • Give results within 30 minutes.
  • Work whether or not you have COVID-⁠19 symptoms.
  • Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-⁠19 vaccines.
  • Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests.


Updates from OCPHS, Mayo Clinic, and OMC

Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS)
Olmsted County continues to remain in a high level of community transmission. The county currently has 2,952 active COVID-19 cases. Check out the Olmsted County COVID webpage for continued updates.

OCPHS has two upcoming vaccine clinics
COVID 12+ Pfizer booster clinic at OCPHS
Olmsted County Public Health Services will be holding a clinic for individuals to receive their COVID Pfizer booster on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Only Pfizer boosters will be administered at this clinic, and you must register in advance. 

  • Date: January 27, 2022 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Registration link: https://webapp.co.olmsted.mn.us/VaccineClinicRegistrations
  • Passcode for registration: Drifts2
  • Vaccination location: 2100 Campus Dr. SE, Rochester, MN (Olmsted County Public Health building)

COVID 12+ Pfizer booster clinic in Byron
Olmsted County Public Health Services will be holding a clinic for individuals to receive their COVID Pfizer booster on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Only Pfizer boosters will be administered at this clinic, and you must register in advance.

  • Date: February 1, 2022 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Registration link: https://webapp.co.olmsted.mn.us/VaccineClinicRegistrations
  • Passcode for registration: Bears3
  • Vaccination location: Byron Middle School, 601 4th St NW, Byron, MN 55920

Mayo Clinic
Patients ages five and older are eligible to be vaccinated and patients 12 and older are eligible to receive the booster five months out from their second vaccination. 

Individuals or parents and guardians can self-schedule a vaccination appointment now:

  • Use your Patient Online Services account to schedule an appointment online or through the Mayo Clinic app.
  • Call the Rochester campus Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or weekends from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 507-538-4040.
  • If you don’t have a Patient online Services account, call Mayo Clinic Customer Assistance at 877-858-0398.

If you are eligible to receive a booster dose COVID-19 vaccine, check COVID-19 vaccine options by Mayo Clinic campus.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters visit the Mayo Clinic COVID-19 vaccine information site.

Mayo Clinic expands testing hours
COVID-19 testing is performed at the 41st Street Testing Center, located at 3033 41st Street NW in Rochester. The testing site's hours are now 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily
Scheduled appointments are required for testing. Call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at 507-293-9525 or contact your primary care provider for screening. 

Mayo Clinic has updated its masking guidance.

Olmsted Medical Center (OMC)
We are scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children ages 5-11. In addition, we will be offering pediatric vaccination clinics every Saturday beginning January 15, 2022. To schedule an appointment, call 507-292-7300.

OMC is offering the Pfizer vaccine booster for patients 12+ who completed their primary series with Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J (Janssen). We also continue to offer appointments for first and second doses for the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments are available on Thursdays.

Employees, vendors, patients, and visitors are being asked to wear a surgical mask when in OMC buildings. If needed, patients and visitors will be provided a surgical mask to wear when going through the screening process. Patients who have their own surgical mask are invited to wear them when visiting an OMC building. This is an update to our masking guideline.