The City of St. Paul says 12 people tested positive for COVID-19 so far this week – its largest spike since the start of the pandemic.
Four essential workers tested positive for the virus between Monday and Wednesday, and eight residents tested positive, according to a city statement.
They were all tested at the local health center as part of the city’s COVID-19 travel requirements.
Everyone who tested positive must isolate for 10 days. Close contacts will quarantine for five and monitor for symptoms, the statement said. It’s unclear how many close contacts the individuals had. The city manager could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
Until now, the remote Pribilof community of about 370 residents had reported very few COVID infections. It has long had strict COVID measures in place, including testing requirements and, more recently, a public list of who is quarantining and why.
Wednesday’s updated COVID data brings the total number of cases in St. Paul since the pandemic started to 34. The first was reported in April of last year. The city’s statement said 23 of the 34 cases are currently active.
Over 90% of St. Paul residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to city officials.
The city’s local risk factor remains at high.
