12-14 COVID-19 Update: Minnesota Expects to Receive 46,800 Doses of Vaccine This Week

12-14 COVID Update from Minnesota Department of Health

12-14, 2020 Minnesota Department of Health briefing.

You can watch the full briefing here.

Also see: 12-11 COVID-19 Update: Governor Expected to Announce Next Steps Monday, State Deal Close on Relief for Businesses

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, 72.5 million cases worldwide since start of pandemic; 1.62 million deaths
• In U.S., 16.4 million cases since pandemic began (up 189,000); 299,000 deaths (up 1,348)
• In Minnesota, 381,841 total confirmed cases (up  3,026)
  • Of the 381,841 cases, 347,077 (91%) no longer need isolation
  • Announced 4,433 cases on Saturday and 3,431 on Sunday.
  • MDH expects to reach 400,000 cases by Christmas
• In Minnesota, 4,462 total deaths (up 18)
  • Of the 18 newly reported deaths, 11 were residents of long-term care/assisted living
  • 67 deaths reported Saturday, 85 on Sunday
  • Mondays tend to be lower days for reporting, said Malcolm.
  • 1,000 people have died of COVID-19 since mid-November
    • First 1,000 deaths it took 12 weeks
    • Second 1,000 deaths it took 17 weeks
    • Third 1,000 deaths it took 7.5 weeks
    • Fourth 1,000 deaths it took just 20 days
• Currently 1,283 Minnesotans hospitalized with COVID-19 with 319 in Minnesota intensive care units
  • Hospitalizations have been on a downward trend over last week. “Extremely important and welcome bit of respite for our health care workers in hospitals,” said Malcolm.
    • Still almost, 3 times as many people in hospital as previous hospital peak in May.
• Case growth has been coming down since mid-November.
• Case positivity rate fluctuating at around 12% to 13% currently.
  • Peaked at 15.5% on Nov. 10 & Nov. 11
• “We’re definitely still in a high-risk range when it comes to just the sheer volume of new cases being detected day-by-day and week-over-week,” said Malcolm. Twice as high as we were at end of October, said Malcolm.

Kris Ehresmann, Director, MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division:

• Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Minnesota Monday at four sites around state.
• “It was a historic weekend,” said Ehresmann, with FDA approval of Pfizer vaccine.
• Minnesota expects to receive 46,800 doses of vaccine this week.
• First groups to be vaccinated will be front-line health care work and nursing home residents. This is considered Phase 1A.
• Most vaccinations of initial shipment take place next week, said Ehresmann. Training taking place this week. “This vaccine is new and complex and vaccinating thousands of people in a short time is a massive undertaking,” said Ehresmann. “Our focus is on safety and not speed.”

Q&A Session and Notes:

• Governor Tim Walz now expected to hold press conference Wednesday to provide update on business restrictions and “pause” on youth sports.
• On why Minnesota waiting to administer the vaccine this week — Ehresmann: Our teams needed additional details from ACIP vote on Saturday. “Our commitment is to make sure that everyone feels comfortable down to the vaccinators.”
  • Says there have been ceremonial doses administered in some states, but bulk of vaccinations will be given later in those states too.
  • “We want to do this right and we want to do it safely,” said Ehresmann. “That’s more important than being the first at this point.”
• What’s been learned from 4-week “pause?” Malcolm: “The downturn in case growth has coincided pretty nicely with the pause,” said Malcolm.
  • Seen positive changes in hospital and ICU admissions, said Ehresmann.
• Gatherings in groups where there’s no masking is where we continue to see transmissions, said Ehresmann.
• Still on track to receive 183,400 doses by end of year, said Ehresmann. FDA expected to approve Moderna vaccine late this week. Anticipates further Pfizer doses as well, but hasn’t heard yet today.
• Ehresmann notes VA allocations are federal, on a different distribution path compared to state.
• Vaccine was not tested on pregnant women, said Ehresmann. Should discuss with health care provider.

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