State reports 8th death of a school staff member from COVID-19

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ST. PAUL, Minnesota. June 17, 2021 – Education Minnesota repeated its call for educators and members of the school community to choose to get vaccinated after the Minnesota Department of Health reported the eighth death of a school staff member from COVID-19 in its weekly report on Thursday. 

“Everyone in our school communities had hoped to finish the school year without another death of a student or staff member. Tragically, we didn’t make it,” said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. “Educators are extending our condolences to the family of the latest educator to lose their life to this virus. While we can’t bring back the eight staff members and one student who have died of COVID-19, educators can get vaccinated and encourage their friends and loved ones to do the same. Nine deaths is too many. Let’s not make it 10.” 

The department reported Thursday that since the pandemic began, there have been eight school staff deaths and one student death. According to state data, there have now been 243 total hospitalizations of students and staff and 26,639 total COVID-19 cases associated with schools. The report released Thursday also contained good news: It was first time the week-to-week increase (67) was less than 100 so far in 2021. 

The department’s report did not include details about the school staff member who died, including where the educator worked, vaccination status, age or if the educator had pre-existing health conditions. Questions about the death of the school staff member should go to the health department. 

The department’s weekly report can be found here:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/stats/index.html

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.