3-5 COVID-19 Update: Health Officials Urge Minnesotans to Delay Nonessential Travel

3-5 COVID-19 Update: Health Officials Urge Minnesotans to Delay Non-essential Travel

The Minnesota Department of Health held a press briefing Friday to provide the latest public health information regarding COVID-19 vaccines, cases and strategies for providing equitable distribution of vaccines.

You can watch the full briefing here.

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• In Minnesota, 488,170 total cases since start of pandemic (up 813 on testing volume of 37,165 tests)
• In Minnesota, 6,534 total deaths since pandemic began (up 13)
  • Of the 13 newly reported deaths, 6 were residents of long-term care/assisted living
• 7-day rolling average case rate at 3.6%. This metric has been fairly stable over last couple weeks, “which is great to see,” said Malcolm.
• 224 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19, of those 57 in intensive care
• Walz-Flanagan Administration announced publication of vaccination data by race and ethnicity.
  • Data made possible through partnership between state of Minnesota and Minnesota Electronic Health Record (EHR) Consortium. This collaboration is first statewide effort of its kind in United States.
  • The data is published on the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard. It is meant to help ensure equitable distribution of vaccine to Minnesotans of all races and ethnicities.
  • Data does have some limitations and doesn’t include all vaccinations, including patients with no race/ethnicity information.
  • State using Vaccine Connector for equitable vaccine strategies.
• MDH will deploy mobile vaccination units for hard-to-reach populations.

Latest on COVID-19 Vaccines

• A total of 1.5 million doses administered as of Wednesday
  • 975,781 have received at least one dose (17.5% of the state’s population)
• 499,974 people age 65+ have received vaccine (58.2% of people 65+)
• No additional Johnson & Johnson vaccine expected next week in Minnesota. However, 127,169 Pfizer & Moderna dose allocations expected to arrive in Minnesota next week. 

State Epidemiologist and MDH Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfield

• Most changes or mutations to SARS-coV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are minor. However, some variants have emerged that increase the severity of the illness.
• Three variants of concern include the following:
  • B.1.1.7, first identified in the United Kingdom
    • CDC reports 2,672 cases from 48 states
    • 165 cases identified in Minnesota
  • P.1, first identified in travelers from Brazil
    • CDC reports 14 cases from 7 states
    • 2 cases identified in Minnesotans
  • B.1.351, first identified in South Africa
    • CDC 68 cases from 17 states
    • No cases of Minnesota residents with this variant.
• Lynfield says cases of these variants are well underrepresented. The cases are ones only identified in MDH lab.

Travel and Spring Break

• On travel and spring break: “We remain concerned about travel during the pandemic,” said Lynfield. “We urge Minnesotans to consider delaying non-essential travel,” she said.
  • If you must travel: “lay low before you go,” and get tested 2-3 days before travel, and quarantine and get tested after returning.

MDH Infectious Disease Director Disease Kris Ehresmann:

• Paid and unpaid primary caregivers ARE eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine under current eligibility guidelines posted Tuesday.
  • This is the case even if primary caregivers live in same household.
  • To sign up through Vaccine Connector, the primary caregiver is to indicate he/she is a first responder or health care worker who provides direct patient care.
  • Select “No” when asked if you can work from home.
  • When asked about what industry you work, select the “Other” box and write in “primary caregiver.”
  • Accepted documentation showing you are a caregiver includes letter from a doctor or other involved party.

Dr. Tyler Winkelman, Hennepin Healthcare and lead for the Minnesota Electronic Health Records (EHR) Consortium COVID-19 Vaccine Project:

• “The mission of the Minnesota EHR Consortium is to improve health by informing policy and practice through data-driven collaboration among members of Minnesota’s health care community.”
• The data show us that “we have work to do,” said Winkelman.

Also see: 3-2 COVID-19 Update: MDH Releases New Guidance Document for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

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