12-30 Minnesota COVID-19 Update: Phase 1a Vaccine Distribution Expected to Last Through January

12-30-2020 COVID-19 Update from Minnesota Department of Health

The Minnesota Department of Health held a press briefing Wednesday, Dec. 30, to provide the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.

Today is anniversary of the first notification about a novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. There were “unexplained pneumonia cases.”
Globally, 82.1 million cases since pandemic began (up 700,000 cases over previous day); 1.79 million deaths (up 15,000 deaths over prior day)
In U.S, 19.6 million cases since pandemic started (up 200,000 cases); 339,000 deaths (up 3,605 deaths)
In Minnesota, 413,107 total confirmed cases (up 2,019 cases on testing volume of 25,700)
- Of the 413,107 cases, 395,679 cases (96%) no longer require isolation
In Minnesota, 5,262 total deaths (up 66 deaths)
- Of the 66 newly reported deaths, 43 were residents of long-term care/assisted living
- One of the deaths was a person in the 35-39 age range.
926 currently in Minnesota hospitals being treated for COVID-19. Of those, 207 in Minnesota intensive care units.
38,000 doses of vaccine administered in Minnesota so far (data as of Saturday). This “will accelerate in the days and weeks to come.”
Case growth down 68% from peak in mid-November.
- Pace of decline has slowed a little bit in the past week, said Malcolm.
Malcolm also points out lower testing numbers in December. State has a lot more testing capacity than is being used right now.

Vaccination data added last week to MDH website (Doses administered will be updated every weekday at 11 a.m./shipments of vaccine updated every Wednesday at 11 a.m.)
- Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) keeps track of immunization records.
“There are limited number of doses everywhere,” said Ehresmann.
- 500 doses had to be thrown out in Wisconsin due to handing error/lack of refrigeration
“It takes time for doses to get to the state.” While process seems slow, said Ehresmann, “vaccination is happening at an unprecedented pace.”
Vaccinations still taking place for front-line health care workers, first responders who provide emergency medical services and elderly in nursing homes.
- Expected to take all through January to get through Phase 1a
  - “We have no desire to slow things down.”
  - “This is an incredibly messy process,” said Ehresmann on dose allocation and distribution to those that are in line to get it.
  - NOTE: not all first responders in Phase 1a
- Minnesota has advisory group on recommendations for vaccine distribution.
- Guidance for Phase 1b vaccine distribution expected to be available week of Jan. 18.
  - all adults 75 and older included in Phase 1b
  - Phase 1b vaccinations expected to start in February
- Late spring or summer is expected timeline for vaccine distribution to general population.
Governor Tim Walz makes final decision on how vaccine gets distributed in Minnesota.

Minnesota COVID cases are down 55% over two weeks ago. That’s the second largest decrease in the country.
Texas and Florida, the nation’s second and third most populous states respectively, will depart from the CDC vaccine recommendations by prioritizing the elderly over essential workers. Ohio will also prioritize people 65 and older, along with school staffers.
U.K. has approved AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine. (NOTE: this vaccine not yet approved in the United States)
- AstraZeneca’s vaccine only needs to be refrigerated at between 2 and 8 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes this particular vaccine’s distribution less complicated and less expensive.
Minnesota has a larger proportion of health care workers, said Ehresmann, which can explain why Minnesota isn’t yet moving forward in the vaccination phase tiers compared to some other states.
- 250,000 doses expected to be received in Minnesota by end of this week, but this is not enough to vaccinate all of Phase 1a, said Ehresmann.
  - About 500,000 or so people in Phase 1a.