MDH: 20 school staff members have now died of COVID-19
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CHRIS WILLIAMS
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ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 20, 2022 – Twelve school workers have now died of COVID-19 during the current school year, bringing the total staff deaths since August 2020 to 20, according to the weekly data release from the Minnesota Department of Health, which reported the latest death.
“This is another tragic reminder of the continued toll the pandemic is taking on educators and students across Minnesota,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “Educators are exhausted and so are parents and students, but we must continue to protect each other, especially through the current omicron surge.”
As of the most recent state report of infections associated with schools, 20 school staff members and three students have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. The state data includes schools of all kinds, including public, private and charter schools.
The Minnesota Department of Health does not provide specific details about COVID-19 deaths associated with schools. Education Minnesota continues to ask the department to release anonymous summary information about the school staff members who have died and the more than 550 students and staff members who have been hospitalized with COVID-19. This information would help school district decision-makers improve safety protocols for students and staff.
The health department’s weekly report is available here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/stats/
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
