FAIRMONT– Minnesota was recently designated as the state with the highest Covid-19 case count in the country. Locally, cases have ticked upward after several weeks of decline.

“It’s definitely still going strong,” said Tim Langer, Public Health Sanitarian for Community Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties.

“At a minimum I’d say they’re the same or trending slightly upward,” Langer said.

In the last week, case counts in Martin County have gone from 100 to 106. In Faribault County, from 55 to 66. A slight increase, but still up nonetheless.

“Our concern is that we’ll keep rising. But this virus is very unpredictable,” Langer said.

With the Thanksgiving holiday less than a week away, Langer said traveling and gathering is a concern.

“People need to be careful, especially if there are individuals in your group who are not vaccinated or susceptible to breakthrough cases, immunocompromised or elderly.”

While case numbers may be rising, so are vaccination efforts.

“They’ve been well-attended,” Langer said of the various vaccination clinics that have been taking place in Martin and Faribault counties.

“We’re also providing some testing at the hospital and clinic. They were having trouble keeping up for awhile and asked us to help out so we’re doing some testing as well,” Langer said.

Langer acknowledged that there have been some breakthrough cases. He said it’s highly recommended that people get the booster because overtime immunity wanes.

“The FDA has approved both the Moderna and Pfizer boosters for all adults,” Langer said.

He said the purpose of the booster is to kick into the immune system again and will help prevents most of the breakthrough cases.

“It’s a good idea to consider that,” Langer said of the booster.

He said he’s heard that the booster will be the third and final shot but he’s also heard talk about if the virus continues to mutate, there could be annual boosters in the future.

“That’s still to be determined,” he said.

Also new this month is the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for the 5 to 11 age group. This next week, on Monday and Tuesday, there will be a vaccine clinic for that age group hosted at Fairmont Elementary School.

The school’s registered nurse, April Tordsen, said, “Faribault and Martin County Public Health are going to come into the school during our conference days and they’ll be giving the vaccines that are now available to 5 to 11-year-olds.”

She said the Minnesota Department of Health also helped to facilitate the clinic.

It will be held Monday the 22nd beginning at 3 p.m. and on Tuesday the 23rd form 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tordsen said public health prefers people make appointments. She said the school has posted information about it and have sent emails out to families. She said walk-ins may be accepted if time allows for it.

“A parent of guardian needs to be present because a consent form needs to be filled out,” Tordsen said.

She said the second dose will be given off of school grounds as there’s not another time that worked to hold it at the school. The second dose will be scheduled at the time the first one is received.

Langer said they would like people to consider getting vaccinated if they haven’t already because the virus will continue to spread.

“The vaccines are safe, effective and they save lives,” he said.

More information on dates and sites for vaccinations, boosters and testing through community health can be found at fmcs.com.