10-12 COVID-19 Update from MN Department of Health

Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Update 10-12-2020

Read the 10-9-2020 COVID-19 Update from the Minnesota Department of Health Here

The Minnesota Department of Health will hold a conference call Monday to brief members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.

October 12, 2020 COVID-19 Update

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, 37.6 million cases since pandemic began; 1.08 million deaths
• In U.S., 7.79 million cases since start of pandemic, 214,000 deaths
  • Case growth picking up nationwide, appears likely to surpass growth rates in the spring
• In Minnesota, 113,439 total confirmed cases (up 1,178 over previous reporting day)
  • 3,000 cases reported over the weekend on 30,000 tests conducted each day; 20 deaths over the weekend
  • 5th consecutive day of 1,000-plus new cases
  • Record high on Saturday with more than 1,500 new cases
• “Despite what we wish, COVID-19 is still a big and growing problem in Minnesota,” said Malcolm.
• Of the 113,439 cases, 101,376 (89%) are no longer considered infectious
• In Minnesota, 2,144 cumulative deaths (up 3)
• Age breakdown of newly reported deaths: 1 in 60s, 1 in 70s, 1 in 80s.
• 92 Minnesotans with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals on Oct. 5, a single-day high
• 444 people hospitalized with COVID-19 currently, 137 in Minnesota ICUs
• Hospitalizations have stabilized somewhat in last few days after larger increases last week, said Malcolm.
• “This is the first time in my memory that we’ve actually seen larger growth in cases than in testing,” said Malcolm, referring to week over week results.
  • 8.3% increase in cases week over week
  • 7.9% increase in testing volume
• 7-day average positivity rate is 5.0% (been at 5% or higher for 16 consecutive days now)

MDH Director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Kris Ehresmann:

• Political rally case update:
  • 3 cases (2 cases from one household) with most recent President Trump rally at Duluth airport
  • 3 cases confirmed from Vice President Pence event at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Sept. 24 (1 of those cases also attended Trump rally in Duluth)
  • 4 new cases (total now of 12) from Sept. 18 Trump event at Bemidji rally
  • 4 cases from attending counter-protest to Bemidji rally.
  • 2 cases related to former Vice President Biden – 1 person attended event on Sept. 16 in Duluth, another attended Sept. 22 event in Brooklyn Park
• Since pandemic began, 2,0004 long-term care facilities have had cases or exposures to COVID-19
  • Of those, only 181 facilities had resident cases
  • 1,044 had cases only involving health care workers
  • 779 facilities had cases with both residents and health care workers
  • 245 long-term care facilities have had a positive COVID-19 case in last 14 days
    • 140 of them are nursing homes (total of 364 nursing homes in the state)
    • 105 are home care providers or assisted living (almost 1,700 assisted living facilities in the state)
  • 72% of these outbreaks have had fewer than 10 cases; 43% have had only a single case identified

MDH Director of Health Facilities Complaints Lindsey Krueger:

• Minnesota is #40 in country in resident cases at long-term care facilities per 1,000 residents
• Minnesota averaging 100.9 cases per 1,000 residents at long-term care facilities
• “We know that social isolation because of COVID-19 visitor restrictions is a significant concern,” said Krueger.
• Updated visitation guidance released today for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which significantly eases restrictions in place since March
  • Allows indoor visitations at most senior homes that have not had new COVID-19 infections in the last 14 days AND infection rate in surrounding county is no more than 10%.
    •  One notable exception is a staffing crisis
  • State recommends long-term care facilities limit how many visitors a resident can have at one time, as well as the duration of indoor visits.
  • Guidance puts Minnesota in line with federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidance.
  • Guidance takes effect this Saturday, Oct. 17

Q&A Session and Notes:

• “We are seeing less transmission related to processing and manufacturing plants,” said Ehresmann, noting changes at these type of facilities put in place since April.
• Also continuing to see cases associated with bars and restaurants, said Ehresmann, but cases have slowed since July.
• The increased ability to test workers and residents has helped lead to updated guidance at long-term care facilities, said Malcolm.
  • Guidance provides section on visitor testing as well
• Rapid antigen tests designed more for symptomatic individuals. Need to make sure which tests are best for various individuals.
• MDH shares its guidance with Minnesota sports teams. Vikings played 7 days later after a previous opponent’s players tested positive. (14-day quarantine usually recommended) Ehresmann notes these teams protocols often stricter than general public.

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