Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccination rate remains relatively stable

3 things to know:

• The vaccination rate remains stable; no sign of time delays

• More than half of new vaccinations are second doses

• General pandemic metrics seem encouraging

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The pace of COVID-19 vaccinations in Minnesota remained relatively stable in Sunday’s update from state health officials, with no sign of a decline due to the delay in sending vaccines.

On the previous week’s average, the number of vaccine doses given each day rose slightly, to just under 30,000.

But more than half of the new vaccinations reported on Sunday were second doses, allowing people to complete their vaccines. The number of people receiving the first dose of the vaccine has been declining in recent days.

There is a time lag for reporting vaccination information – Sunday updates from state health officials reflect Friday’s data – so it is possible that the effects of last week’s severe winter on vaccine shipments may appear in the coming years. days. Some vaccination appointments in Minnesota over the weekend have been postponed due to these delays.

About 13.6 percent of Minnesotans had received at least one dose until the last update, with about 6.1 percent fully vaccinated. More than 41 percent of Minnesota residents age 65 and older received at least one injection.

The total number of vaccine doses administered is now 1,059,617.

Here are the ones from Minnesota current COVID-19 statistics:

• 6,432 deaths (9 new)

• 479,036 positive cases (891 new), 465,382 out of isolation (97 percent)

• 7.2 million tests, 3.4 million tested Minnesotans (about 59 percent of the population)

• 13.6 percent of Minnesotans vaccinated with at least one dose

State public health leaders have emphasized in recent weeks that the relatively low flow of vaccine supplies from the federal government is the main problem in halting the pace of vaccinations.

Although recent vaccination numbers are trending upwards, Minnesota, at the current rate, would only be able to vaccinate about 80 percent of adults at some point in September. Ending in the summer would require the state to administer 40,000 to 50,000 doses a day, or more.

Minnesota is currently ranked 20th among states in doses administered by 100,000 people, according to data collected by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Leaving aside vaccination issues, Minnesota’s COVID-19 numbers show the state on a stable and positive path, with key pandemic metrics continuing to improve. The known and active cases have remained stable at just over 7,200, but the overall trend is solid, hovering around late September levels.

The trend of seven-day hospitalizations for people with COVID-19 also fell to September levels.

Nine deaths reported on Sunday increased the death toll from Minnesota to 6,432. Among those who died, about 63 percent lived in long-term care facilities or care facilities; most had latent health problems.

The seven-day moving average for deaths is eight deaths per day, close to the lowest since September.

The state has recorded 479,036 confirmed or probable total cases so far in the pandemic, including 891 reported on Sunday. About 97 percent of Minnesota residents known to be infected with COVID-19 in the pandemic have recovered to the point that they no longer need to be isolated.

State health officials continue to monitor new strains of viruses circulating in the United States, which may be more contagious.

Cases spread across age groups, regions

People in their 20s still make up the age group with the highest number of confirmed cases in the state – more than 90,000 since the start of the pandemic, including more than 47,000 among people aged 20 to 24.

The number of school-age youth confirmed with the disease has also grown, with more than 37,000 total cases among those aged 15 to 19 since the start of the pandemic.

Although they are less likely to experience the worst effects of the disease and end up hospitalized, experts fear that young people and young adults may spread the disease unknowingly to older relatives and members of other vulnerable populations.

People can have the coronavirus and spread COVID-19 when they have no symptoms.

Regionally, most parts of Minnesota have dropped significantly since late November, the peak of early December, as well as a peak in January.

Recently, there has been an increase in cases in northwest Minnesota, although the reason is still unclear.

The number of cases is even heavier among people of color

In Minnesota and across the country, COVID-19 hit communities of color disproportionately in cases and deaths. This was especially true for Minnesota residents during much of the pandemic.

Even with the number of new cases dropping since the peaks of late November, early December, data show that Latinos continue to be hit hard.

Mistrust in the government, along with deep-seated health and economic disparities, has hampered efforts to increase testing among communities of color, officials say, especially among unauthorized immigrants who fear that their personal information may be used to deport them.

Last week, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm recognized the need to ensure that vaccination opportunities are equitably distributed.

Malcolm said the state will soon release data on vaccination, race and ethnicity. Officials say they are trying to improve the quality of the data. By state law, it was shared voluntarily and, therefore, may be inconsistent.

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COVID-19 in Minnesota

The data in these charts are based on the Minnesota Department of Health cumulative totals released daily at 11 am You can find more detailed statistics on COVID-19 at Department of Health website.

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Statewide developments

Minneapolis removes bar counter restrictions

The city of Minneapolis lifted the ban on seating at bar counters just in time for the weekend.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the decision was based on public health data, showing a decrease in COVID-19 cases in the city.

City bars should still require reservations, social distance and no more than two customers can sit at the counter together.

Merchants also need to turn down the volume of the music to prevent customers from talking loudly and feeling too close to each other.

Last week, citing the progress of the vaccine in the state, Governor Tim Walz loosened some pandemic-related regulations that allow bars to open another hour, until 11 pm.

– Nina Moini | MPR News

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Top headlines

COVID drives increased home schooling as enrollment in public schools decreases: The COVID-19 crisis is causing dramatic changes in enrollment in Minnesota public schools, including a drop of around 17,000 students last year, with families delaying kindergarten and choosing options outside the public system, says the Department of Education of State.

The collaboration between White Earth Nation, Mahnomen Co. leads to one of the highest vaccination rates in MN: Since Minnesota started distributing coronavirus vaccines last year, northwestern Minnesota’s Mahnomen County has consistently led the group.

Michael Osterholm on how new COVID variants can change the path of the pandemic: As vaccinations continue, new variants of the virus are spreading. Scientists fear that the vaccine may be less effective against these mutations and that infection rates may increase again if one of these variants becomes the dominant strain.

The new vaccine tool will tell Minnesotans when they can get injections of COVID-19: The tool will alert Minnesotans about their eligibility, connect them to resources to schedule an appointment and provide information about vaccination opportunities nearby. Minnesota residents will still have to make an appointment to get an injection through a vaccine supplier.