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Since the beginning of the month, there have been 1,080 more COVID-19 patients in hospital beds. Over the past week, MDH recorded 360 deaths from COVID-19.
Malcolm noted a positive sign in the latest data. Last week, the seven-day rolling test positivity rate was 15.2%. This week it is down to 14.3%.
Testing Tips
Huff spoke about the new testing guidelines that were presented to the Minnesotans on Friday.
“We continue to see a high demand for testing. We want to make sure the Minnesotans know the advice and are able to take a test when needed,” Huff said, urging the Minnesotans to have a plan and to look into the options to find out what’s best for each. individual.
For more information on testing tips, click here.
Huff said the new home testing system has been “extremely successful”. More than 210,000 tests have been sent since the program expanded statewide earlier this month. About 38,000 of them have been returned and treated. Due to the overwhelming demand for saliva testing, this has caused logistical problems, according to Huff.
“We continue to work on [the issues]. We’re capping the daily limits at 12,500 because of the speed factor, because we need them to be delivered immediately and processed ASAP, ”Huff said on the call.
Saliva test turnaround times are approximately 24 to 48 hours, and nasal swabs take approximately 48 to 72 hours to get results.
Huff added if the website doesn’t work, he recommends trying again the next day or visiting a community test site.
Comprehensive COVID-19 coverage
Next holiday weekend
Regarding some families who plan to reunite over the holiday weekend but intend to get tested before or after, Huff says this plan isn’t foolproof.
The test only measures the virus at the time the test is performed. It might be too early to be detected by the test and infect your whole family, Huff noted.
Ehresmann added that someone who was tested two weeks ago and quarantined for 14 days before the holidays should be fine, however, just taking a test and continuing to follow plans as usual is a bad plan. .
“For those planning to ignore state guidelines, please wear masks and social distancing,” Ehresmann said.
Vaccine concerns
Of those worried about taking the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, Ehresmann says it will be safe.
“Everything is done to speed up the process, but that does not increase the risks with the vaccine,” she said. “Companies just started recruiting for the later phases of the trials while they were still in the early stages to make sure there was no delay in moving to the later phases.
She said the federal government also pays the upfront costs for companies seeking approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to get more options submitted. Those who are unsure will not be used and the company developing the vaccine does not waste its money, which is essential for most people working in development.
In summary, Ehresmann reassured the Minnesotans that the development of the vaccine has been made “more effective, not rushed”. MDH officials said they would wait until the vaccine was approved by the FDA and the advisory board before distributing it.
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