ST PAUL, Minn. — Friday, Sept. 10
11 a.m.
- MDH reports 69 cases of COVID linked to State Fair so far
- 695 people with COVID-19 in Minnesota hospitals, highest since April 14
- MDH reports 2,050 new COVID cases and 18 deaths
- More than 3,000 vaccinated at Minnesota State Fair
- State is opening two new free testing sites in Minneapolis and Lino Lakes
New statistics from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) show that numbers in key COVID-19 categories such as hospitalizations, new cases and deaths, continue to rise.
On Friday MDH reported 2,050 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with an additional 18 people dying from the virus.
The cumulative total cases in the state is now at 666,496 since the start of the pandemic.
MDH also reported 18 deaths from the virus on Friday, bringing the cumulative death total to 7,892 since the pandemic began. Health officials say 4,562 of those deaths have taken place in long-term care or assisted living facilities.
The fatalities reported Friday include one person between the ages of 40 and 44 in Anoka County, and one person between 45 and 49 in Freeborn County.
According to MDH's latest data available, 695 people are being treated for COVID in hospitals around the state, with 510 in non-ICU beds and 185 in the ICU. That's the highest hospital bed numbers we've seen since April 14.
Total hospitalizations since the arrival of COVID have risen to 36,085.
MDH reported 6,274,211 total doses of vaccine have been administered in the state, with 3,348,641 people age 16 and older having received at least one shot (72.3%). Of that number 3,158,635 people have completed their COVID series and are considered completely vaccinated (68.5%).
Thursday, Sept. 9
2 p.m.
Officials with the Minnesota Department of Health and education officials shared the latest on Minnesota's COVID situation, the presence of the delta variant and its impact on the start of the 2021-22 school year.
The officials held a conference call Thursday to brief members of the media.
MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said as we begin the school year she remains concerned about the rise in childhood cases of COVID-19. She said school-related cases continues to increase among kids in school and childcare settings.
The state confirms there have been 27,000 students and staff cases in schools since the start of the pandemic.
Malcolm discussed CDC research that shows hospitalization rates among kids are lower in highly vaccinated states. She said that demonstrates that vaccinations help protect communities.
"Since July, after delta became dominant in the country, the rate of new COVID cases and COVID-related emergency visits increased for people under 18," said Commissioner Malcolm.
MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann said last fall 0.7% of children were hospitalized for COVID, and this fall that number is 1.3%.
MDE Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller said that they are collecting information on school COVID policies across the state and should have more details in "the next week or so."
"We must all do our part to make sure our students get the school year they deserve," said Dr. Mueller.
A school nurse was invited to be on the call to discuss their important and difficult job this school year.
"COVID has added an additional layer to the responsibilities of school nurses. When school nurses do our jobs well we tend to be fairly invisible but COVID has thrown all of that into disarray," said Licensed School Nurse Annie Lumbar Bendson.
Once again, MDH officials urged people to get vaccinated and to wear masks indoors.
11 a.m.
As concerns around the delta variant grow, records show that Minnesota's COVID-19 hospitalization numbers continue to rise. Updated data from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Thursday shows that the number of people in hospitals remains over 650.
A total of 485 people are currently in non-ICU beds and 178 require ICU care. Total hospitalizations since the arrival of COVID have risen to 35,967.
Health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases in the state has increased by 1,215, bringing the cumulative total to 664,459.
Nine more people died, bringing the cumulative death total to 7,874 since the pandemic began. Health officials say 4,557 of those fatalities are tied to long-term care or assisted living facilities.
MDH says 6,262,798 total doses of vaccine have been administered in the state as of Tuesday, with 3,344,415 people age 16 and older having received at least one shot (72.2%). Of that number 3,152,889 people have completed their COVID series and are considered completely vaccinated (68.4%).
Meanwhile, state health officials plan to hold a news conference call at 2 p.m. Thursday to discuss Minnesota's COVID situation and how it is impacting the start of the school year.
Wednesday, Sept. 8
11 a.m.
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 5,777 new cases of COVID-19 in the state over the long weekend, with an additional nine people dying from the virus.
Due to the Labor Day holiday weekend, data shared Wednesday of newly reported cases and deaths include those from 4 a.m. Friday, September 3 to 4 a.m. Tuesday, September 7.
Minnesota has reported a cumulative total of 663,248 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.
MDH also reported nine deaths from the virus on Wednesday, bringing the cumulative death total to 7,865 since the pandemic began.
Health officials say 4,555 deaths have taken place in long-term care or assisted living facilities.
The fatalities reported Wednesday include two people between the ages of 40 and 44 in Ottertail and Ramsey Counties, and one person between 45 and 49 in Becker County.
According to MDH's latest data available, over 650 people are being treated for COVID in hospitals around the state, with 480 in non-ICU beds and 174 in the ICU.
Total hospitalizations since the arrival of COVID have risen to 35,797.
MDH reported 6,256,511 total doses of vaccine have been administered in the state, with 3,342,677 people age 16 and older having received at least one shot (72.2%). Of that number 3,149,597 people have completed their COVID series and are considered completely vaccinated (68.4%).
Tuesday, Sept. 7
2 p.m.
Governor Walz is lauding a special vaccination effort at the state fair, saying more than 3,000 Minnesotans turned out at a clinic inside the gates to get immunized against COVID-19.
“We need every eligible Minnesotan to roll up their sleeves and get their shot so we can have a safe, healthy fall and make our schools safer for students and teachers," Walz said in a released statement. "Our children who cannot yet get vaccinated are relying on you.”
The Walz administration says in all, 3,118 fairgoers received a vaccination and of that number, 3,042 were able to claim a $100 VISA gift card for getting their first dose.
Just last week Walz announced a series of free YMCA vaccination clinics at locations across the Twin Cities, along with increased testing options due to the rising presence of the delta variant.
You can also make an appointment or find walk-in locations by using the state Vaccine Connector.
11 a.m.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is reporting more than 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the state, with an additional 12 people dying from the virus.
Due to the Labor Day holiday weekend, data shared Tuesday is behind by a few days, reflecting numbers reported between 4 a.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday. MDH says 2,088 new infections were recorded, bringing total cases in the state to 657,492 since the start of the pandemic. Those new cases are based on the results of 42,727 tests (34,503 PCR, 8,224 antigen) processed in private and state labs.
A positive PCR test is considered by health officials to be a confirmed COVID case, while a positive antigen test is counted as probable.
State health officials have reopened no-cost COVID testing centers due to public concerns over the delta variant, and numbers reflect an uptick in the volume of tests being conducted.
Twelve more Minnesotans have perished from the virus, bringing fatalities to 7,856. The fatalities reported include one person between the ages of 40 and 44 from Ramsey County, and three between 50 and 54. Those deaths occurred in Hennepin, Isanti and St. Louis Counties.
Hospitalizations remain high with 615 being treated across Minnesota on an inpatient basis as of Friday. Of those patients, 158 are ill enough to require ICU care.
As of last Thursday, 3,332,860 eligible Minnesotans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (72%), with 3,134,652 considered completely vaccinated against the virus (68.1%).
Total doses of vaccine administered have now risen to 6,229,876. The vaccine dashboard says 57.7% of those doses are Pfizer, 37.8% Moderna and just 4.5% Johnson & Johnson.
Friday, Sept. 2
11 a.m.
On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 2,138 new cases of COVID-19, marking the first time over 2,000 cases were reported in a single day since mid-April. Those numbers were based on 35,647 tests (28,536 PCR, 7,111 antigen) processed in private and state labs around the state.
A positive PCR test is considered a confirmed COVID case, while a positive antigen test is considered probable.
MDH also reported 5 deaths from the virus on Friday.
According to MDH's latest data available from Thursday, over 600 people are being treated for COVID in hospitals around the state, with 463 in non-ICU beds and 163 in the ICU.
Across all of Minnesota, 613 staffed non-ICU beds are available and only 78 staffed ICU beds are open.
MDH reported that as of Wednesday, 3,327,769 people 16 years and older in Minnesota now have at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, or 71.9% of that population. Of those people, 3,128,568 people are considered fully vaccinated.
