10-23 MN COVID-19 Update from Minnesota Department of Health

MN COVID-19 Update from the Minnesota Department of Health 10-23-2020

Read the 10-21-2020 COVID-19 Update from the Minnesota Department of Health Here

The Minnesota Department of Health will hold a conference call Friday, Oct. 23, to brief members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19. This is a summary of that call. 

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, 41.7 million cases since start of pandemic; 1.13 million deaths (up 5,885 deaths)
• In U.S., 8.46 million cases since pandemic began; 223,000 deaths (up 839 deaths)
• In Minnesota, 129,863 total cases (up 1,721 over prior reporting day on 26,000-plus tests)
• Of the 129,863 cases, 114,679 (88%) are no longer consider infectious
• In Minnesota, 2,314 cumulative deaths (13 newly reported deaths)
• Age breakdown of 13 new deaths: 1 in 40s, 2 in 50s, 2 in 60s, 3 in 70s, 4 in 80s, 1 in 90s
• 565 people in Minnesota hospitals currently for COVID-19, 160 in Minnesota ICUs.
• Hospitalizations approaching May levels, said Malcolm.
• 7-day case positivity rate at 6.4% (up over last week). “The case growth is due to very high levels of transmission of the virus around the state. There is more disease out there and not just because we’re doing more testing,” said Malcolm.
• Minnesotans in 23 counties starting pilot mail-in saliva testing (not yet available in Hennepin County)

MDH Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfield:

• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).
• 28 children in Minnesota confirmed with MIS-C so far,  5 cases in September and 2 in October (to date).
• This is a rare but severe syndrome in children associated with the novel coronavirus
• Approximately 2/3rds of these children were previously healthy. More than half required intensive care.
• More than 70% had evidence of heart involvement
• Fortunately, no deaths in children related to MIS-C
  • 20 deaths nationally
• Age range from 6 months to 16 years. Average age: 5.5
  • average age nationally is 8 years
  • Black and Hispanic children disproportionately affected, said Lynfield
• Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Adults (MIS-A) can also occur, but extremely rare.
  • CDC identified 27 cases in adults and 2 deaths
  • Multi-organ involvement with cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurological issues.
  • Symptoms came on 2-5 weeks after COVID-19 infection

Dr. Tai Mendenhall, University of Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps:

• Mental health can be a struggle during winter even without COVID, said Dr. Mendenhall.
• A lot of stress with families and holiday gatherings, unable to meet now.
• A mental health issue is “not a character flaw,” said Dr. Mendenhall. “Seek help.”
• Mental Health Resources from MDH
  • COVID Cares stress support phone service: Call 833-HERE4MN (833-437-3466)
    • Free telephone support from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 7 days a week
    • This service is a collaboration of volunteers involving the Minnesota Psychiatric Society, the Minnesota Psychological Association, Minnesota Black Psychologists and Mental Health Minnesota.
  • Find a therapist: Therapistlocator.com
  • Dr. Mendenhall encourages Zoom calls with friends and family
  • Excercise, books, games, meditation, anything can help, he said.
• “There is no one-size fits all solution. There is no panacea here,” said Mendenhall.

Q&A Session and Notes:

• On labor shortages and PPE shortages: “There is very little slack in the system,” said Malcolm. COVID cases make up small percentage of critical care at the moment.
• CDC changed exposure guidance from 15 minutes to 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.
  • “This is not a dramatic change,” said Malcolm, noting it will not change state’s contact tracing.
  • Whether someone is exposed by someone with COVID-19 involves many factors, how contagious someone is, how close and for how long, etc.
  • “It’s not a perfect science,” said Lynfield.
• MDH has “staffed up significantly” with contact tracing.
• More nurses needing to quarantine? “It is certainly true that health care worker infections from community spread has continued to increase,” said Malcolm.

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