1-12 COVID-19 Update: Minnesota Launches Dashboard to Track Vaccine
1-12-2021 COVID-19 Update from Minnesota Department of Health
The Minnesota Department of Health holds a press briefing Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. to provide the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.
Today’s topic: Situation updates, COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard
You can watch the full briefing here.
MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:
- Globally, 91 million cases since pandemic began; 1.95 million deaths
- In U.S., 22.7 million cases since start of pandemic; 376,000 deaths
- In Minnesota, 438,867 total cases (up 1,335 on testing volume of about 30,000 yesterday)
- Of the 438,867 cases, 418,610 (95%) are no longer considered infectious
- In Minnesota, 5,724 total deaths (up 13)
- Of the 13 newly reported deaths, 5 were residents of long-term care/assisted living
- 1 of the deaths was a person in his/her 50s from Anoka County
- Total vaccine doses administered so far: 152,849
- Phase 1a includes about 500,000 frontline health care workers and residents of long-term care, as well as first responders who provide emergency medical services.
- 7,392 frontline workers have completed the two-dose course.
- MDH launched a COVID-19 vaccine dashboard to help the public track doses allocated and administered.
- Doses allocated means vaccine vials promised by federal government. As Malcolm previously mentioned, it could take at least a week for state to receive vaccine vials and administer them.
- The dashboard will be updated daily.
- As of today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has promised 541,100 doses of COVID-19 to Minnesota.
- Of those doses, 329,450 have been shipped to providers in Minnesota along with 100,500 doses shipped to pharmacies participating in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pharmacy Partnership Program for vaccination in long-term care settings.
- There is currently a limited amount of vaccine available to states from the federal government.
- “Transparency is a cornerstone principle of our vaccine rollout. We are pleased to provide Minnesotans with this vital information as the light at the end of the tunnel grows brighter,” said Malcolm in a statement to CCX News.
- 7-day case positivity rate at 7.5%, this key metric has inched upward.
- Officials remain concerned about the recent holiday gatherings increasing viral transmission. (This would take about 3-4 weeks to show up in data)
- Case rate on Dec. 24 was 4.7%
State of Minnesota’s Chief Information Officer and MNIT Commissioner Tarek Tomes:
- “This dashboard provides Minnesotans with transparency and promotes confidence that COVID-19 vaccine doses are consistently arriving in Minnesota, and shots are going in the arms of our health care workers and most vulnerable family and friends,” said Tomes. “It will help Minnesotans visualize our progress toward ending this pandemic for good.”
MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann:
- Said interpreting all the data on the dashboard can be complex
- State making plans for Phase 1b, which is expected to be people age 65 and older, those with underlying health conditions, teachers, police officers and others in essential front-line occupations
- Vaccinations for Phase 1b expected to start by early February
Q&A Session and Notes:
- State hasn’t gotten any information in writing on proposed changes from federal government and extra vaccine shipments. Federal government announced change Tuesday that allows states to prioritize anyone 65 and older.
- The information we got is what has been reported in the media, said Ehresmann. Not enough clarity yet for mass vaccination, she said.
- “We are in the point of trust, but verify,” said Ehresmann.
- “There are no additional doses for us right now,” said Ehresmann on proposed federal changes.
- “Many, many variables need to be pinned down in the next couple of days,” said Malcolm.
- Phase 1b planning guidance expected to roll out next week, but news today by federal government “impacts that,” said Ehresmann. “We need to re-evaluate.”
- Hoping federal government provides additional vaccine to accompany expectations of the public.
- What does 65 and older priority mean for firefighters, police, teachers, other essential workers? Malcolm: “Those are all the very questions we have.”
- “We need to review what we are hearing from the federal government,” said Ehresmann.
- 918,000 people in Minnesota ages 65 and older
- 530,000 people ages 65-74
- 388,000 people ages 75+
- 13% of vaccinations in Minnesota have been senior citizens.
- Florida switched to vaccinating 65 and older as a priority.
- “When plans change and the message changes, it does create the opportunity for confusion,” said Malcolm on federal government priority switch to ages 65 and older.
Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Champlin | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale | Rogers | Twin Cities
