COVID-19 in MN: Pandemic Path Uncertain Amid Messy Post-Holiday Data

3 things to know:

• 2,736 recently confirmed or probable cases (includes about 650 delayed cases)

• 13,485 known active cases; 718 currently admitted

• 72.6% of residents 16 years and older with at least one dose of vaccine

State leaders in public health now report to reporters.

Updated at 2:28 p.m.

There is no doubt that COVID-19 remains stubbornly persistent in Minnesota. But backlogs and messy Labor Day weekend data make it difficult to draw conclusions from the latest issues on the path to the pandemic.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported 2,736 confirmed or probable cases of the disease Wednesday, but nearly 650 of them were months old, discovered as part of an agency data review project.

The known active cases reached 13,485. Active cases have averaged just under 8,000 in the last seven news days, less than two weeks ago. The disease, however, continues to show its power of permanence.

Officials remain concerned about a potential increase in cases arising from the new school year, Labor Day meetings, and the Minnesota State Fair.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said Wednesday that the state has confirmed 153 cases “directly related” to the fair, including four hospitalizations. Another 33 Minnesota cases are related to last month’s massive motorcycle rally in Sturgis, SD

The total but unknown number of cases of these events is probably several times higher than the number of confirmed cases, Malcolm said as he implored Minnesotaans to be alert for the disease, getting vaccinated and continuing to mask themselves in indoor public spaces.

The counts of the State Fair and Sturgis are a “significant underestimation” of the dissemination related to these events because “we do not reach most people and many people are not disclosing everywhere where it has been,” added Dr. Ruth Lynfield , state epidemiologist. .

Cases have accelerated until late summer, driven by the highly contagious delta variant. The COVID-19 test rate, which is once again positive, continues to tend above the 5 percent threshold that public health officials find worrisome.

Current hospital and intensive care needs have increased during this summer wave: 718 people are in hospital beds with COVID-19, including 208 ICU cases, higher than the April rise.

The Department of Health added 41 recently reported deaths, including 28 delayed cases reported as part of the agency’s review, bringing the state’s peatism in the pandemic to 7,956.

Minnesota is now better positioned than during the fall and spring peaks. More than 71% of state residents aged 12 and over have received at least one vaccine and more than two-thirds of that population are fully vaccinated.

Still, it remains a slogan for vaccinating more Minnesota, and large gaps remain in the vaccination rate among state regions.

Officials also remain concerned about the increase in the number of cases among school-age children as the new school year begins. Compared to this time last year, both case rates and hospitalizations in this group are higher.

---

Latest developments

State launches a vaccine app

As more companies require COVID-19 vaccination testing for entry, the state is launching an app that will allow people to view and access their vaccination records instantly.

The app, called Docket, includes information about COVID-19 outbreaks, but also about other outbreaks, said state director of infectious diseases Kris Ehresmann.

“We recognize the importance of having a safe and comfortable way to find, view, and share your family’s and your family’s immunization records, such as the need for records for school or child care,” he said. to say.

Healthcare providers, pharmacists, and other medical professionals submit vaccination information to the state database called the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) each time they administer a shot.

“The Docket app gives Minnesotaers a digital option to access their immunization history at MIIC, check what vaccines you or your children may be due to, and see what vaccines you need in the future. That’s vital to make sure that people are protected from preventable diseases, ”he said.

In recent months, more than 30,000 people have applied for vaccination records in the state compared to about 12,000 last year. The volume has created a backlog, with people waiting weeks to get their information.

Right now, vaccination records are recorded on small paper cards that can be lost or torn, which is a drawback, as more and more companies and facilities need proof of vaccination against COVID- 19 for entry.

– Catharine Richert | MPR News