ST. PAUL – State health officials reported on Tuesday, January 5, that 1,612 additional cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, were documented in Minnesota.
The total number of COVID-19 cases known in the state is now 425,261.
Minnesota Department of Health commissioner Jan Malcolm said on Monday, January 4, that the state’s pandemic outlook is improving, but “that improvement is tenuous.”
“If we let our guard down, COVID-19 will find a way back,” said Malcolm during a telephone news conference.
The health measures implemented in November, including the temporary ban on meals in bars and restaurants, appear to have contained the increase in COVID-19 infections that began that month. And while the percentage of COVID-19 tests that confirm the disease is positive, it has increased slightly, Malcolm said, it is still below the 10% limit that health experts say they avoid.
Meanwhile, Governor Tim Walz has signaled that he will lift the ban on indoor eating and other health measures with an announcement on Wednesday, January 6.
As of Tuesday, approximately 80,857 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Minnesota. The state has enough doses on hand, health department officials say, to inoculate citizens belonging to the “Phase 1A – first priority” group, which consists of hospital workers and residents of specialized nursing homes.
Phase 1A of the vaccine launch in Minnesota consists mainly of medical personnel and residents of assisted living facilities. It is expected to be completed by the end of the month, Malcolm said on Monday, with federal guidance on the next phase expected soon.
Eighteen additional deaths attributed to the disease were also reported on Tuesday, bringing the number of Minnesota pandemic deaths to 5,461. Of these, 10 occurred outside the Twin Cities area and seven occurred in long-term institutions.
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- Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 hotline: 651-201-3920.
- COVID-19 hotline of discrimination: 833-454-0148
- Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 website: Coronavirus disease website (COVID-19).