From the Cook County Emergency Response Center and the Minnesota Department of Health - March 22, 2021

More than half of Cook County’s populations has now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. To date, 51.6% of people in Cook County and 93% of those ages 65+ have received at least their first dose. Forty percent of community members have received both doses in the two-shot series, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. 

“I am so proud of all the hard work we’ve done with mass vaccination,” Cook County Public Health Supervisor and EOC Incident Co-Commander Grace Grinager said. “Although the work continues, each shot gets us one step closer to the end of the pandemic.”

While Cook County continues to lead the state in vaccination percentage, recent cases serve as a reminder for all to continue to follow public health guidelines to avoid a further surge.  

“We all know what we can do to limit the spread of COVID-19, and now is the time for us all to come together and do our part,” Grinager added. “In addition to taking personal responsibility to practice these public health behaviors daily, it is important for us to treat one another with kindness and respect as we continue to move through the pandemic as a community.” 

In public spaces, everyone – even those who are fully vaccinated – should continue to wear a mask, socially distance and stay home if they feel ill. Until a larger percentage of the population is fully vaccinated, all people should continue to avoid medium- or large-sized gatherings and to delay all unnecessary travel. Even after receiving the vaccine, it remains important to seek a COVID-19 test if you are showing even a slight sign of symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, loss of taste or smells, fatigue, or body aches).  The vaccines for COVID-19 are extremely effective (around 95%), but even for vaccinated people, testing remains an important public health tool to control the spread of the virus.

The Cook County Public Health team, in collaboration with local healthcare partners at Grand Portage Health Services, North Shore Health and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, remains committed and ready to help the community through the pandemic through multiple key response activities.  These include case investigation and contact tracing when individuals test positive; managing clusters or outbreaks of COVID-19 in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Health; offering technical assistance on safety and preparedness planning for local businesses and those considering hosting events;  organizing mass vaccination events and public health outreach activities to ensure that community members have accurate and up to date information on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Cook County.