2-4 Minnesota COVID-19 Update: ‘This is Probably Not the Year to Have a Super Bowl Party’

2-4 COVID-19 Update from Minnesota Department of Health

Also see: 2-2 COVID-19 Update: ‘It’s Heartbreaking That We Don’t Have Enough Vaccine Right Now’

The Minnesota Department of Health held a press briefing Thursday at 2 p.m. to provide members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.

You can watch the full briefing here:

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• In Minnesota, 465,176 total cases (up 1,410 on testing volume 50,000+ lab tests)
  • “Testing is available and a really, really good idea,” said Malcolm, especially for those returning to school and youth sports
• In Minnesota, 6,251 total deaths (up 17)
  •  Of the 17 newly reported deaths, 9 were residents of long-term care/assisted living
• 7-day case positivity rate has fallen to 4.3%
• “Our situation has been looking quite a bit better in recent weeks,” said Malcolm.
• In U.S, 26.6 million cases since start of pandemic (still adding 100,000 cases a day – 121,000 yesterday); 451,000 deaths (up 4,000)

COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered in Minnesota:

• 604,864 doses of vaccine administered so far in Minnesota
  • Of those, 475,200 people have received at least one dose
• MDH’s target goal is to vaccinate 80% of the population age 16 and older
• 83,825 first doses expected to arrive later next week (Minnesota had been averaging about 60,000 doses in previous weeks). This is 16% increase Biden Administration promised, plus additional 5% more doses.
  • 7,000 doses will go to state sites catering to age 65+
  • 10,000 doses for teachers and early childhood educators
  • 39,800 for health care providers vaccinating 65+
  • 14,825 for public health workers to finish Phase 1a
  • 4,200 to pharmacies (3,000 of those doses go to nursing homes as part of federal program).
  • 5,000 doses to Department of Human Services for group homes.
  • 3,000 doses for tribal nations

MDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield:

• Urges caution about COVID variants.
• Minnesota labs have detected a second case of P.1 variant first identified in Brazil. This person is a household contact of the first case and also traveled to Brazil.
• 16 cases of B.1.1.7 in Minnesota (this variant was first identified in the United Kingdom)
  • 12 of those 16 cases had traveled directly, or was a household member of someone who traveled.
    • 4 of those 12 were international travelers – 3 to West Africa, 1 to Dominican Republic, 1 was household member of international traveler
    • 7 associated with domestic travel, including 3 who went to California

MDH Director of Infectious Disease Kris Ehresmann:

• CDC recommends avoiding travel, or delaying travel.
• If you must travel, check CDC website where you’re headed for local requirements, which could include quarantining.
• Masks are required on planes and other public transportation
• Also if you were vaccinated, wait two weeks after second dose to travel. This will give your body enough time to build immunity.
• Stay home and quarantine for 7 days after travel, even if you test negative. Quarantine 10 days if you don’t get tested.
• On school and kids: “Keep your children home if you see any signs of illness,” said Ehresmann.

Q&A Session and Notes:

• New county-based data for school reopening decisions also released today.
  • Hennepin County now has 25.43 cases per 10,000 people in 14-day case rate
  • Earlier guidance released by MDH would suggest hybrid learning for all students
  • The county case rate “was starting point for discussions,” said Malcolm for school districts to use.

• Republican-controlled legislature in Wisconsin repeals the governor’s state mask mandate
• On Super Bowl gatherings: “We just are still in a situation where there’s a lot of virus out there,” said Malcolm.
  • “This is probably not the year to have a Super Bowl party,” said Ehresmann. Asking people to reconsider gatherings. Better if you don’t share food.
• FEMA allocating money to set up additional mass vaccination sites in Minnesota. Malcolm says she’s waiting to hear more from federal government.

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