Coronavirus infections skewing younger

Keeping kids safe as they go back to school

At five.

I'm george mallet./// a troubling trend is being seen in minnesota..

With a growing number of coronavirus cases impacting younger patients.

Olmsted county public health says it's a concern especially as we consider sending kids back into the classroom this fall.

Kimt news three's jessica bringe joins us live from john marshall high school with how the health department is responding.

Jessica.

George ?

"* for many families te thought of sending their children back into the classroom when there's a chance of contracting covid?

"*9 is frightening..

And there's now good reason to be concerned.

Of more than 52?

"*thousand confirmed cases n minnesota as of yesterday..

Patients 19 years old and younger made up around 13?

"* percent of those cases.

In olmsted county it's even higher ?

"* sitting at around *- percent.

Director of public health graham briggs tells me the county is working with the rochester school district to find the best solution to get kids back into the classroom safely..

Without putting vulnerable populations at risk.

<i think the last thing we want to do is put ourselves in a position where we amplify the virus in children and see a rippling effect out into the wider community because of that.> options for students include a hybrid model with strict social distancing and capacity limits or continued distance?

"* learning only.

If there was in?

"* person learning all students may be required to wear masks.

Live in rochester jessica bringe kimt news three.

Thank you jessica.

The health department says it will continue to monitor which populations covid?

"*19 is impacting the most..

And adjust risk strategies to better serve the community.