![Malcolm: Criteria On Virus Not Trending In Positive Direction](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/07/GettyImages-1219613666.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Malcolm: Criteria On Virus Not Trending In Positive Direction
ST. PAUL -- As Governor Tim Walz considers whether to impose a statewide mask requirement, health officials say there are many scenarios they consider in the decision-making process.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says one big factor is the states seven day rolling average positivity rate.
"What we are looking for is if that indicator increases by more than five percent, five days in a row, that is a concern. If the total test positivity rate exceeds 15 percent, that is really concerning."
Malcolm says health experts also examine the percentage of cases from community spread, hospitalization rates, and other measures to determine if the virus is under control.
She says a number of those areas have worsened in recent weeks.
Minnesota's current positivity rate is at 4.2 percent.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
5 Mini Golf Courses to Day Trip to This Summer in Minnesota
More From AM 1240 WJON
![New Report Shows Small and Lower-Income Schools Lack Nurses](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/06/attachment-Nurse.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Jail Program to Keep Families Together Expands](http://townsquare.media/site/341/files/2020/04/42.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Salmonella Cases Linked to Basil Sold at Trader Joe’s](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/04/attachment-Infinite-Herbs-Organic-Basil.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Dept. Of Health Reports Salmonella Case](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/01/attachment-GettyImages-1157033091.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Recalled Cantaloupe Makes Five Minnesotans Sick](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/08/cantaloupe.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Department of Health Releases STD Report](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-c4262.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Boys and Girls Clubs Offering New Reading and Math Programming](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/DSC05326.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Blaine Man Charged in Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/09/Courtroom.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Reasons Why COVID Can Be Worse on Some and Not Others](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/12/attachment-Coughing.jpg?w=980&q=75)