Sartell Encouraging Continued Mask Wearing

(KNSI) – Sartell is encouraging people to continue to wear masks citing the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. On February 1st, 2022, an open letter was posted by Mayor Ryan Fitzthum on behalf of himself and the city council.

The city asks residents and visitors to wear a mask indoors when around others, limit interaction with others outside of your workgroup or family, wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick, get vaccinated, and get a booster shot.

The letter says, “Our community can save lives and hospitalizations by coming together to make these few simple requests. Let’s do this to protect our community, family, friends, neighbors, and ourselves.

The letter says that many have reached out to city leaders expressing concerns over Sartell not enacting a citywide mask ordinance. City officials say it would have taken four to six weeks to pass that ordinance and by then, the peak of the surge would have passed. The city says there were also legal concerns that a mask ordinance wouldn’t be permitted without a declared public emergency.

On January 7th, CentraCare Health held a meeting with city leaders in the area, asking for them to pass citywide mask mandates. Sartell, along with St. Cloud, Waite Park and Sauk Rapids, declined but instead encouraged residents to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 voluntarily.

Last week, CentreCare officials stated they believe the omicron variant, which has fueled the latest cases, has peaked. Healthcare experts expect the region’s case count to remain high for the next couple of weeks. The omicron surge came on the heels of the delta variant, which had already stretched the area’s medical teams to their limit.

On Monday, CentraCare Health reported 83 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in its eight hospitals. Officials say 43 patients were unvaccinated, and 40 were vaccinated. Last week, 104 people were hospitalized systemwide.

CentraCare Weekley Reported COVID Hospitalizations:

January 17th: 110
January 10th: 119
January 3rd: 115
December 27th: 141
December 20th: 124
December 13th: 141
December 6th: 135
November 29th: 117
November 22nd: 110
November 15th: 106
November 8th: 105
November 1st: 96

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