Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Vaccination rate remains relatively low

3 things to know:

• Vaccination rate remains stable; no sign of weather delays

• More than half of the new vaccinations are second-dose

• Overall pandemic statistics look encouraging

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The rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in Minnesota remained relatively low in Sunday’s update of state health officials, with no sign of a decline yet due to the delayed vaccines.

The number of vaccinations administered each day has risen slightly to just under 30,000 in the past week.

But more than half of the new vaccinations reported on Sunday were second-dose, enabling people to complete their vaccinations. The number of people receiving their first vaccine dose has dropped over the past few days.

There is a delay period in the reporting of vaccination information – the Sunday update of government health officials reflects the data from Friday – so it is possible that the effects of the severe winter weather over the past week on vaccination vaccination may appear in the coming days. Some vaccinations over the weekend in Minnesota have been postponed due to the delays.

About 13.6 percent of Minnesotans have received at least one dose since the latest update, with about 6.1 percent completely vaccinated. More than 41 percent of Minnesotans 65 and older received at least one shot.

The total number of vaccine doses administered is now 1,059,617.

Here’s Minnesota’s current COVID-19 statistics:

• 6,432 deaths (9 new)

• 479,036 positive cases (891 new), 465,382 discounts on isolation (97 percent)

• 7.2 million tests, 3.4 million Minnesotans tested (about 59 percent of the population)

• 13.6 percent of Minnesotans vaccinated with at least one dose

State leaders in public health have stressed in recent weeks that the relatively low amount of vaccine supplies from the federal government is the biggest problem holding back the rate of vaccinations.

While recent vaccination numbers are on the rise, Minnesota will only be able to vaccinate about 80 percent of adults by September. To make it happen by the summer, the state must deliver 40,000 to 50,000 shots a day or more.

Minnesota is currently ranked 20th among states in doses administered per 100,000 people, according to data collected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unless questions about vaccination, the COVID-19 numbers from Minnesota show the condition on a steady, positive path, with important pandemic statistics still improving. Well-known, active business is stable at just over 7,200, but the overall trend is solid and hangs around the end of September.

The seven-day admission trend in hospitals for people with COVID-19 has also dropped to the September level.

Nine reported deaths on Sunday raised Minnesota’s toll to 6,432. Among the deceased, about 63 percent lived in long-term care or assistance facilities; most had underlying health problems.

The rolling average for deaths of seven days is eight deaths per day, almost the lowest since September.

The state has so far recorded 479,036 confirmed or probable cases in the pandemic, including 891 reported Sunday. About 97 percent of Minnesotans infected with COVID-19 in the pandemic have recovered to the point that they no longer need to be isolated.

State health officials continue to monitor new virus strains circulating in the United States, which may be more contagious.

Cases spread across age groups, regions

People in their twenties still consist of the age group with the largest number of confirmed cases in the state – more than 90,000 since the pandemic began, including more than 47,000 among people aged 20 to 24.

The number of high school teens confirmed with the disease has also grown, with more than 37,000 cases since the age of 15 to 19 since the pandemic.

Although less likely to experience the worst effects of the disease and eventually be admitted to hospital, experts are concerned that young people will unknowingly spread it among older family members and members of other vulnerable populations.

People can have the coronavirus and spread COVID-19 if they have no symptoms.

Regionally, most parts of Minnesota are significantly lower than late November, early December as well as a January turn.

There has been a recent increase in cases in northwestern Minnesota, although this is still unclear.

Cases are still the heaviest among coloreds

In Minnesota and across the state, COVID-19 hit communities of color excessively hard in both cases and deaths. This is especially true for Minnesotans of Spanish descent for much of the pandemic.

Although the number of new cases continues to decline from the end of November, to early December, the data show that Latino people are still being hit hard.

The mistrust of the government, coupled with deep-rooted health and economic disparities, hampered efforts to promote testing among color communities, officials say, especially among unauthorized immigrants who fear their personal information could be used to deport them.

Last week, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm acknowledged the need to ensure that vaccination opportunities are distributed fairly.

Malcolm said the state will soon release data on vaccinations, race and ethnicity. Officials say they are trying to improve the quality of data. According to state law, it is shared voluntarily, so it can be contradictory.

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COVID-19 in Minnesota

The data in these graphs are based on the cumulative totals of the Department of Health in Minnesota released daily at 11 p.m. You can find more information about COVID-19 at Website of the Department of Health.

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Developments from across the state

Minneapolis lifts bar tone restrictions

The city of Minneapolis lifted its ban on bar counter seating just in time for the weekend.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the decision was based on public health data, showing a decline in COVID-19 cases in the city.

Bars in the city still need reservations, take social distance and no more than two customers can be seated at a bar counter.

Institutions should also reduce the volume of music to prevent customers from speaking loudly and sitting too close to each other.

Last week, citing the advancement of vaccines in the state, Governor Tim Walz unveiled some pandemic-related regulations to keep bars open one hour longer until 11 p.m.

– Nina Moini | MPR News

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Top headlines

COVID leads to a boom in homeschooling as enrollment in public schools declines: The COVID-19 crisis is leading to dramatic changes in Minnesota’s public school enrollment, including a drop of about 17,000 students in the past year, with families delaying kindergarten and choosing options outside the public system, the education department says.

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

Michael Osterholm on how new COVID variants can change the trajectory of the pandemic: As the vaccination continues, new variants of the virus spread. Scientists are concerned that the vaccine may be less effective against these mutations and that infection rates could rise again if one of these variants becomes the dominant strain.

The new vaccination tool will tell Minnesotans when they can get COVID-19 shots: The tool will notify Minnesotans of their suitability, connect them to resources to schedule an appointment, and provide information on nearby vaccination opportunities. Minnesotans will still have to make their own appointment to get a chance through a vaccine provider.