Latest news on COVID-19 in MN: rebound in vaccinations; stable pandemic trends

3 things to know:

• The vaccination rate is improving; the weather can change that

• Increase in the number of active cases but still good trends

• The global parameters of the pandemic seem encouraging

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Update: 11:50 a.m.

After dropping and then stabilizing following a surge in late January, the number of COVID-19 vaccines in Minnesota is starting to rebound as the overall pandemic trends remain encouraging.

The state’s health department reported about 40,000 new vaccinations on Friday, a significant jump that helped bring the seven-day average down to levels seen in early February. Officials noted that Minnesota is now putting more than a million doses of COVID-19 into guns.

About 13.1 percent of Minnesotans had received at least one dose on Wednesday, with about 5.2 percent fully vaccinated. About 39% of Minnesotans 65 and older have received at least one injection.

State public health officials have pointed out in recent weeks that the relatively low flow of federal vaccine supplies is the main issue slowing the pace of immunizations.

Despite the rebound in immunization figures on Friday, the Department of Health warned this week that the cold snap hitting the country would delay vaccine shipments to Minnesota, which could reduce the number of vaccines in the short term.

The ministry said about half of the roughly 85,000 doses expected this week will not arrive on time as expected. The state has already postponed appointments at two community vaccination sites scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

While Friday’s immunization figures were positive, Minnesota at current rates would only be able to immunize about 80 percent of adults by September. To achieve this by the summer, the state would need to administer 40,000 to 50,000 injections per day, or even more.

Minnesota is currently ranked 23rd among states in doses administered per 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 is on a stable and positive path, with key indicators of the pandemic continuing to improve.

Known and active cases have passed 7,000, but the general trend is good, with numbers hovering around late September levels. The trend of seven-day hospital admissions for people with COVID-19 also retreated to September levels.

There were 282 people with COVID-19 in Minnesota hospitals on Thursday. It was a second consecutive day of hospitalizations below 300, the first time since the fall; 59 people needed intensive care.

Eight deaths reported Friday brought Minnesota’s toll to 6,412. Of those who died, about 63% were living in long-term care facilities or assisted living facilities; most had underlying health problems.

The seven-day moving average of deaths fell to 7 deaths per day, the lowest since September.

The state has recorded a total of 477,287 confirmed or probable cases so far in the pandemic, including 1,001 reported on Friday. About 97% of people in Minnesota 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 feel encouraged, enough for Governor Tim Walz to proclaim on Wednesday “we are on track to end the pandemic” as he agreed to reopen high schools, starting Monday. “We beat this thing.”

Public health officials continue to monitor new strains of the virus circulating in the United States, which may be more contagious. Walz and other officials have warned they 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 British strain here. “We want to make sure that we don’t give way to these variations.”

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 of great concern and it is not clear whether they escape immunity from vaccination or natural protection.

Cases distributed across age groups and regions

People in their 20s are still 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 high school age youth confirmed with the disease has also increased, with more than 37,000 total cases among those aged 15 to 19 since the start of the pandemic.

Although less likely to feel the worst effects of the disease and end up in hospital, experts fear that young people and young adults may unknowingly pass it on to older parents and members of other vulnerable populations.

People can have the coronavirus and spread COVID-19 when they don’t have symptoms.

Regionally, most areas of Minnesota are down significantly from the peak in late November, early December and January.

There has been an increase in cases in northwest Minnesota recently, although it’s not yet clear why.

The number of cases remains highest among people of color

In Minnesota and across the country, COVID-19 has disproportionately hit communities of color in both cases and deaths. This has been particularly true for Hispanic Minnesotans during much of the pandemic.

Even as the number of new cases continues to decline from their peaks in late November, early December, data shows Latin Americans continue to be hit hard.

Mistrust of the government, as well as deep-rooted health and economic disparities, have hampered efforts to step up testing among communities of color, officials say, especially among unauthorized immigrants who fear their information. personal data are used to expel them.

Malcolm also recognized on Thursday the need to ensure that vaccination opportunities are distributed fairly.

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

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COVID-19 in Minnesota

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

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Developments across the state

Minneapolis lifts bar counter restrictions

The city of Minneapolis lifted its ban on 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.

Bars in town should always require reservations, social distancing, and no more than two patrons can be seated together at a bar counter.

Establishments should also turn down the volume of music to prevent patrons from speaking loudly and sitting too close to each other.

Last week, citing immunization progress in the state, Gov. Tim Walz relaxed some pandemic-related regulations that allow bars to be open an additional hour, until 11 p.m.

– Nina Moini | MPR News

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Main titles

The collaboration between White Earth Nation, Mahnomen Co. leads to one of the highest vaccination rates in MN: Since Minnesota began distributing coronavirus vaccines late last year, Mahnomen County in northwest Minnesota has consistently led the pack.

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

The new vaccination tool will tell Minnesotans when they can get vaccinated against COVID-19: The tool will alert Minnesotans of their eligibility, connect them with resources to make an appointment, and provide information on nearby vaccination opportunities. Minnesotans will still have to make their own appointment to get vaccinated by a vaccinator.

For homeless people in Ramsey County, hotel rooms provide a haven of peace and hope amid the pandemic: Ramsey County officials say they have room for anyone who is homeless to stay indoors. But the fallout from the pandemic complicates the county’s response.