Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
COVID-19
MPR News Staff

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Flanagan says she has breakthrough COVID case

A woman speaks at a lecturn in front of others.
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan speaks at a press conference about at-home COVID-19 tests available for students, outside of Carver Elementary School in Maplewood, Minn., on Oct. 6.
Evan Frost | MPR News file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Updated: 2:18 p.m.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced Saturday that she's tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Flanagan said she tested positive Friday after caring for her 8-year-old daughter, who tested positive for COVID last week.

"I've experienced a lot of extreme feelings over the course of this pandemic, but nothing has compared to how I felt when our baby said she didn't feel well," Flanagan wrote.

Flanagan said she and her husband, Tom, had stayed home over the past week to care for their daughter and avoid exposing anyone else to the virus. After Flanagan started experiencing cold-like symptoms, a rapid test and follow-up test confirmed she had COVID.

Flanagan said Saturday that she's under the weather but doing OK, and her daughter is feeling better.

"I'll be continuing to stay home to recover and make sure I don't get anyone else sick," she wrote. "I want to be clear: This pandemic is not over, and we have to keep doing everything we can to keep our kids safe. Getting vaccinated isn't just about you - it's about protecting our little ones who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated."

Flanagan is fully vaccinated and said she's looking forward to being able to get her daughter vaccinated, and to getting a booster dose for herself.

Flanagan's brother Ron died after contracting COVID in March 2020, in the early weeks of the pandemic.

The lieutenant governor's announcement on Saturday drew a quick outpouring of support, including from Gov. Tim Walz who wrote that Flanagan "has led with strength and compassion throughout this pandemic. ... Rest up and get well soon."

Walz’s spokesperson said the governor and lieutenant governor were last together in-person on Oct. 21 — before Flanagan or her daughter tested positive for COVID. The spokesperson said Walz “has had multiple negative tests since then.”