A team of state and federal health workers were recently confronted by armed residents while they were conducting random coronavirus testing in communities across Minnesota.

“The incident was unfortunate,” said Julie Bartkey, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Health. “The team did the right thing by leaving and notifying their study site coordinator of the situation.”

State officials confirmed the encounter, but have not disclosed when or where the incident occurred.

Health officials are conducting random testing of households in 180 communities across Minnesota as part of a survey to better understand the spread of COVID-19. The study is being done with the help of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State health leaders have encouraged households to participate in the study if asked. It includes an interview and testing for active COVID-19 infections as well as virus-fighting antibodies that would signal a previous exposure.

Read More...