3 things to know:
-
The rate of vaccination improves; time can change that
-
Increase in active cases, but trends are still good
-
General pandemic metrics seem encouraging
Updated: 11h50
After falling and then stabilizing after a sudden increase in late January, Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccination counts are beginning to recover, as general pandemic trends remain encouraging.
The state Department of Health reported about 40,000 new vaccines on Friday, a significant jump that helped push the seven-day average to levels seen in early February. Officials noted that Minnesota now puts more than 1 million doses of COVID-19 into weapons.
About 13.1 percent of Minnesotans had received at least one dose by Wednesday, with about 5.2 percent fully vaccinated. Approximately 39% of Minnesota residents aged 65 and over have received at least one injection.
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 stopping the pace of vaccinations.
Despite Friday’s recovery in vaccination numbers, the Department of Health warned this week that the cold spell that is plaguing the country will delay vaccine shipments to Minnesota, potentially lowering vaccination counts in the short term.
The department said that about half of the 85,000 or more doses expected this week will not arrive on time as expected. The state has already postponed consultations at two community vaccination posts scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
Although Friday’s vaccination numbers were positive, Minnesota, at the current rate, would only be able to vaccinate about 80% 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 currently ranks 23rd among states in doses administered by 100,000 people, according to data collected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Overall, Minnesota’s COVID-19 figures show the state on a stable and positive path, with key pandemic metrics continuing to improve.
Known active cases were above 7,000, but the overall trend is good, with the numbers hovering around late September levels. The trend of seven-day hospitalizations for people with COVID-19 also fell to September levels.
There were 282 people with COVID-19 in Minnesota hospitals on Thursday. It was the second consecutive day of hospitalizations below 300, the first time since the fall; 59 people needed intensive care.
Eight deaths reported on Friday increased the death toll in Minnesota to 6,412. Among those who died, about 63% lived in long-term care facilities; most had latent health problems.
The seven-day moving average for deaths dropped to 7 deaths per day, the lowest since September.
The state has recorded 477,287 confirmed or probable total cases so far in the pandemic, including 1,001 reported Friday. 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.
The trends offer reasons to be encouraged, enough that Governor Tim Walz proclaimed on Wednesday “we are on the way to end the pandemic” while he approved the reopening of secondary schools, starting on Monday. “We are winning this thing.”
State health officials continue to monitor new strains of viruses circulating in the United States, which may be more contagious. Walz and other officials have warned that this could lead to an increase in cases.
Kris Ehresmann, the state’s director of infectious diseases, reaffirmed those concerns on Tuesday, noting that Minnesota has now confirmed 40 cases of the UK strain here. “We want to make sure that we are not providing a basis for these variants.”
Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told MPR News on Thursday that the variants are very worrying and it is unclear whether they escape immunity from vaccination or natural protection.
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 will 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 strongly 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, coupled 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.
On Thursday, Malcolm also 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.
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.
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.
The city’s bars 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 speaking loudly and feeling too close to each other.
Last week, citing the progress of the vaccine in the state, Governor Tim Walz relaxed some pandemic-related regulations that allow bars to open for another hour, until 11 pm.
– Nina Moini | MPR News
Top headlines
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 variants of COVID 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.
A new vaccine tool will tell Minnesotans when they can take injections of COVID-19: The tool will alert Minnesotans about their eligibility, connect them to resources to schedule an appointment and provide information on vaccination opportunities nearby. Minnesota residents will still have to make an appointment to get an injection through a vaccine supplier.
For the homeless in Ramsey County, hotel rooms offer a safe haven and hope in the midst of the pandemic: Ramsey County officials say there is room for anyone homeless to stay at home. But the consequences of the pandemic are complicating the county’s response.
You make MPR News possible. Individual donations are behind the clarity of coverage for our reporters across the state, the stories that connect us and the conversations that provide perspectives. Help ensure that MPR remains a resource that unites Minnesotans.
Donate today. A $ 17 gift makes the difference.