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Forty COVID-19 deaths were reported in Minnesota as of Wednesday as the state grapples with a pandemic wave that may not be as severe as other states but could last longer.
The newly reported deaths bring the toll for the pandemic in Minnesota to 8,243 and include two people aged 25 to 29 from Anoka and Chisago counties and one person aged 30 to 34 from Ramsey County. While 87% of COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota have been in seniors, the state has now reported 84 deaths in people under the age of 40.
Governor Tim Walz said on Tuesday that an increase in deaths from COVID-19 was unfortunately expected following an increase in coronavirus infections and hospitalizations. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,886 more coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 729,334.
The number of COVID-19 cases receiving hospital care in Minnesota hospitals rose to 864 on Tuesday, including 224 people receiving intensive care due to respiratory problems or other complications of their infections. More than 95% of state-staffed intensive care beds were occupied on Tuesday, including patients receiving treatment for issues unrelated to COVID.
Walz on Tuesday urged unvaccinated Minnesotans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the threat of seasonal flu that could exacerbate the state’s hospital capacity problems. Walz spoke with lawmakers on Tuesday to find out whether further state intervention is needed to tackle the pandemic.
“I’m concerned that if we see a particularly bad flu season, it would start to pinch these beds,” he said. “My commitment at the start of COVID was that every Minnesotan who needed a bed and care would get one, and that we would do all we could to protect those [beds]. It’s always like that.”
Pandemic modeling from the Mayo Clinic predicts that the latest wave will not be as bad in Minnesota as it is in other states, but could last longer. Minnesota’s above-average vaccination rate – with more than 75% of people 12 and over receiving at least a first dose – could prevent a worse flare-up, but other factors ranging from mask wear to good weather and outdoor activities could have an influence, said Curtis Storlie, one of the creators of the Mayo COVID-19 model.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated ensemble modeling forecast on Wednesday also predicted little change in the number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota throughout October.
The 40 deaths from COVID-19 reported in Minnesota on Wednesday included 38 deaths that occurred in September and October. Two date from previous months and were belatedly linked after examination to the pandemic. The moving average of COVID-19 deaths by date of occurrence has increased from eight deaths per week in mid-July in Minnesota to more than 80 per week now.
Although the COVID-19 vaccine does not prevent all infections, studies have shown that it remains strongly protective against serious illness and hospitalization. On Wednesday, Minneapolis-based Allina Health reported that 32% of its 226 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Sunday were fully immunized. But only 15% of its 33 COVID-19 patients placed on ventilators have been fully vaccinated.
Jeremy Olson • 612-673-7744
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