COVID-19 in MN: Active cases peak in 2021

3 things to know:

• 3,714 newly confirmed or probable cases, 17 newly reported deaths

• 21,547 known active cases; 799 currently hospitalized

• 73.4% of residents aged 16 and over who received at least one dose of vaccine

The most recent COVID-19 data from Minnesota shows the disease is still firmly entrenched in the state as the calendar turns to October, with the number of cases now higher than what Minnesota saw in its surge of mid-April.

The Ministry of Health’s daily number of known and active cases rose to 21,547 on Friday, reaching its highest level so far in 2021. The state has averaged over 2,500 new cases per day over the years. last seven days of reporting, levels not seen since December.

The rate of positive tests remains relatively stable – the seven-day average is just over 6%, above the 5% that officials find worrying but not soaring like in other waves.

Cases, however, continue to rise, driven since late summer by the highly contagious delta variant.

Minnesotans under 20 continue to generate many of these new workloads, while those 20 and older – the demographic group that saw the most cases during the pandemic – have a historically low share.

The state’s death toll stands at 8,170, including 17 newly reported deaths on Friday.

Much of the recent increases have come from areas of Minnesota outside of the Twin Cities region. Cases are increasing especially in northwestern Minnesota.

Current hospital and intensive care needs have increased during this summer-fall wave – 799 people are currently in hospital beds with COVID-19, including 202 intensive care cases.

Critical care cases have declined over the past week. Overall, however, hospitalizations are higher than in the April outbreak.

Minnesota remains better positioned now than during its fall and spring peaks. More than 72 percent of state residents aged 12 and older have received at least one vaccine, and more than two-thirds are fully immunized.

However, there is still a slow march to get more Minnesotans vaccinated, and wide gaps remain in vaccination rates between regions and counties.