ST PAUL, Minn. — Sunday, May 9
- Just over 60% of Minnesota's eligible population at least partially vaccinated; nearly 50% fully vaccinated
- Walz sets timeline for dropping statewide restrictions, mask mandate
- Minnesota moves past 2 million considered fully vaccinated
- Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations available at state-run community vaccination sites
- Walmart, Sam's Club offer walk-up vaccinations at 80 MN locations
More than 60% of eligible Minnesotans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Sunday.
In total, MDH says 2,651,747 people in the state are at least partially vaccinated. Of that group, 2,140,832 are fully vaccinated — about 48.5% of the eligible population.
On Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz set a benchmark for ending Minnesota's mask mandate: 70% or more of the state's eligible population receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Some other COVID-19 restrictions have already ended, with plans to loosen more later this month.
As for other COVID-19 data, MDH reported 810 new cases and 7 additional deaths. The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota is 7,231.
MDH's COVID-19 case definition includes both antigen testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Positive PCR test results are considered confirmed cases, while positive antigen test results are considered probable cases.
Sunday's new case total includes 652 confirmed cases and 158 probable cases.
The total number of Minnesotans who have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began is now 587,762, with 40,797 of those as antigen test results.
To date, 30,937 Minnesotans have been hospitalized with the coronavirus since the pandemic started, with 6,295 of them needing care in the ICU.
MDH reports that 568,295 people once diagnosed with the virus have passed the point where they are required to isolate.
Of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, people between the ages of 20-24 account for the most cases with 56,958 cases and 4 deaths, and ages 25-29 follow with 52,136 cases and 7 deaths. Those between 85 and 89 years old account for the highest number of fatalities in one age group with 1,323 out of 6,686 diagnosed cases.
Saturday, May 8
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 1,321 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, along with 8 additional deaths.
The total number of Minnesotans who have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began is now 586,959, with 40,644 of those as antigen test results.
Meanwhile, the state is inching closer to vaccinating 60% of eligible Minnesotans. MDH says 2,641,346 people in the state have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That's about 59.9% of Minnesota's eligible population. Of that group, 2,106,486 are fully vaccinated — about 47.8% of the eligible population.
Earlier in the week, Gov. Tim Walz set a benchmark for ending Minnesota's mask mandate: 70% or more of the state's eligible population receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Some other COVID-19 restrictions have already ended, with plans to loosen more later this month.
To date, 30,928 Minnesotans have been hospitalized with the coronavirus since the pandemic started, with 6,295 of them needing care in the ICU.
MDH reports that 566,438 people once diagnosed with the virus have passed the point where they are required to isolate.
Of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, people between the ages of 20-24 account for the most cases with 56,889 cases and four deaths, and ages 25-29 follow with 52,068 cases and seven deaths. Those between 85 and 89 years old account for the highest number of fatalities in one age group with 1,322 out of 6,685 diagnosed cases.
Friday, May 7
Numbers from the vaccination dashboard Friday reflect that Minnesota is not far from meeting the goal set by Gov. Walz to drop the statewide mask mandate.
As of Wednesday (the most recent numbers available), 2,628,225 people have received at least one dose of COVID vaccine, just under 60% of those eligible. Walz said in a live address yesterday that once 70% of those eligible (ages 16 and up) receive one immunization, the mask mandate will be over. The latest that will happen, the governor said, is July 1.
Just under 47% of eligible Minnesotans (46.9%) have completed their COVID series, and are considered fully vaccinated.
Daily data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says 1,453 new infections were recorded in the last day, bringing the state case total to 585,677 since the pandemic began. The new cases are based on results from 43,897 tests (37,264 PCR, 6,633 antigen) processed in private and state labs. Health officials consider a positive PCR test a confirmed COVID case, while a positive antigen test is considered probable.
MDH reports that another 12 people have died from the virus, bringing total state fatalities to 7,216. Of those deaths 4,377 (61%) are tied to long-term care or assisted living facilities. The virus has been deadliest among those ages 85 to 89, with 1,322 deaths in just 6,681 diagnosed cases.
Young adults between 20 and 24 account for the largest grouping of cases with 56,787 and four fatalities.
As of Thursday 560 people were being treated for COVID-19 in hospitals across Minnesota, 144 of them in ICU. In total, 30,855 people have been hospitalized with the virus since March 2020.
State health officials say 564,326 people who have tested positive have passed the point where they need to be isolated.
The four most populated counties in the state are also the ones reporting the most COVID activity. Hennepin County has recorded 121,415 cases and 1,720 deaths, followed by Ramsey County with 50,647 cases and 870 deaths, Dakota County with 45,309 cases and 445 deaths, and Anoka County with 41,050 cases and 434 fatalities.
Cook County in northeastern Minnesota reports the least COVID activity with 156 cases and no deaths.
Thursday, May 6
2 p.m.
More eyes will be focused on Minnesota's COVID-19 vaccination rate now that Gov. Tim Walz has tied it to ending the statewide mask mandate.
On Thursday Walz announced a three-step timeline leading to the end of most statewide restrictions by May 28, and to dropping the mask mandate as soon as 70% of currently eligible Minnesotans (age 16 and older) get at least one dose of vaccine. As of Tuesday that percentage was at 59.3, with 2,614,319 people having received at least one shot.
Yesterday the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced Minnesota had hit a significant vaccination milestone, with more than 2 million people having completed their COVID series to be considered completely vaccinated. Today that number is at 2,035,325 (46.1% of those eligible).
Of counties in the Twin Cities metro, most are above the 60% threshold with eligible people receiving one or more immunizations. Sherburne County lags behind with a rate of under 40%.
Restrictions will be lifted despite Minnesota's continuing battle against the virus. On Thursday MDH reported 1,661 new infections, bringing total COVID cases to 584,227 since the pandemic started. The new cases are based on 38,262 tests (34,065 PCR, 4,197 antigen) processed in private and state labs. A positive PCR test is considered a confirmed COVID case, while a positive antigen test is considered a probable case.
Another 13 lives have been lost to the virus, pushing Minnesota's total fatalities to 7,204. Current COVID hospitalizations across the state are steady with 565 patients being treated on an inpatient basis, 152 of them in ICU. That brings total hospitalizations up to 30,783.
Of those who have tested positive for the virus, 563,364 have recovered to the point they no longer need to be isolated.