#Early test results show only a few Minnesota protesters got coronavirus

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Protesters march from the Governor’s Mansion to the Minnesota State Capitol building on June 1, 2020 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Only 1.4 percent of George Floyd protesters in Minnesota have tested positive for coronavirus since participating in the demonstrations, according to a new report.

The early data comes from about 1,300 tests completed from around 3,300 protesters who visited one of the four testing sites last week in St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Pioneer Press reported.

Health officials said it’s too early to say whether the virus spread at the demonstrations or if people were already sick.

But the rate is significantly lower than 3.7 percent — the seven-day average of positive tests across the state, the report said.

Minnesota officials have encouraged anyone who has attended the protests or other related events to get tested, regardless of whether they present symptoms, Michigan Public Radio reported.

“If you were involved in any of the mass gatherings — the protests, the vigils, the neighborhood cleanups, providing food, water, etc. — we really encourage you to get free testing at one of these community sites,” State Health Department Commissioner Jan Malcolm said.