MDH reports 8th COVID death of school staff member

Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Health reported the state’s eighth death of a school staff member from COVID-19.

Education Minnesota called for educators and the school community to get vaccinated.

"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," Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota, said. "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."

Since the pandemic began, eight school staff members have now died from COVID-19 in addition to one student. A total of 243 students and staff have been hospitalized with COVID-19 while 26,639 cases have been reported in schools.

However, Education Minnesota noted that Thursday’s report also contained some good news: It was the first time the week-to-week increase was less than 100 so far this year.

No other details regarding the school staff member were immediately available.