ST. PAUL – State health officials reported Tuesday, Jan. 5, that another 1,612 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, have been documented in Minnesota.
The total number of known COVID-19 cases in the state now stands at 425,261.
Jan Malcolm, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, said Monday, Jan. 4, that the state’s pandemic outlook is improving, but that the improvement is small.
“If we let go, COVID-19 will find a way to move back,” Malcolm told a news conference.
Health measures implemented in November, including a temporary ban on indoor eating at pubs and restaurants, apparently backfired the rise of COVID-19 infections that began that month. And while the percentage of COVID-19 tests that came back positive is slightly higher, Malcolm said it is still below the 10% threshold that health experts avoid.
Gov. Tim Walz, meanwhile, has indicated he will lift the indoor ban and other health measures with an announcement Wednesday, January 6th.
As of Tuesday, approximately 80,857 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Minnesota. The state has enough doses on hand, say health department officials, to vaccinate citizens who are part of the “Phase 1A – first priority” group, which consists of hospital employees and residents of competent nursing homes.
Phase 1A of vaccination in Minnesota consists mostly of medical staff and residents of help centers. It is expected to be completed by the end of the month, Malcolm said Monday, with federal guidance on the next phase available soon.
Eighteen additional deaths attributed to the disease were also reported Tuesday, bringing the Minnesota death toll to 5,461. Of these, ten occurred outside the Twin Cities area, and seven occurred in long-term care facilities.
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- Ministry of Health Department of Health COVID-19 hotline: 651-201-3920.
- COFID-19 discrimination hotline: 833-454-0148
- Minnesota COVID-19 Health Website: Coronavirus Disease Website (COVID-19).