5-19 COVID-19 Update: State Makes Efforts to Get More Minnesotans Vaccinated

5-19 COVID-19 Update: More Vaccination Clinics Held for Teens, State Tries to Get More Minnesotans to Roll Up Their Sleeves

The Minnesota Department of Health held a 2:30 p.m. briefing Wednesday to provide the latest public health information regarding variants of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, as well as on the state’s vaccination efforts.

49.4% of the state’s population have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This percentage has stagnated over past couple weeks.
42.6% of Minnesotans are considered fully vaccinated having completed the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen or received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot.
Children ages 12 to 15 can now receive the Pfizer vaccine, in addition to those 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines remain ages 18 and up.
The state is hosting a vaccination clinic this weekend at the Mall of America. Families with 12 to 15-year-olds will be prioritized.
A one-and-done Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinic will be held at the State Fairgrounds for the next two weeks (May 26-June 8). It’s open to anyone over the age of 18.

Minnesota’s 7-day rolling average case rate is at 4.9%, falling below the state’s 5% “caution” threshold.
The 4.9% rate is lowest since March 19
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday was 658, the lowest figure reported on a Wednesday this year. The total number of Minnesota cases since the pandemic started is 596,186.
The number of new COVID-19 deaths reported Wednesday was 15. Of those deaths 10 lived at a private residence, the others resided in assisted living or long-term care facility. The total number of deaths in Minnesota since pandemic began is 7,325
Currently have 2,249 “breakthrough” case infections in Minnesota. These are COVID-19 cases involving people who are fully vaccinated. MDH has seen more cases in women. The percentage of breakthroughs is .001%. Ehresmann says it may be possible some of the cases are those who became exposed to virus before receiving vaccine dose.

The rate of new hospitalizations continues to decline. It’s at 9.2 admissions daily per 100,000 people. The state’s “high-risk” threshold is 10 admissions per day per 100,000.
Progress now measured in smaller increments, one-tenths of 1%. Vaccinations are going up, however. “Just trying to get the vaccine extremely convenient for people,” said Malcolm.
MDH still aiming for 70% vaccination rate of those ages 16-plus by July 1.

“It’s never been easier to get the vaccine,” said Ehresmann. “We still have many Minnesotans who are not vaccinated.”

Recommends people at high-risk for COVID-19 to consider monoclonal antibody therapies.
Clinical studies have found a 70% decrease in hospitalization for those at high-risk who received monoclonal antibody infusions. FDA has approved two monoclonal antibody treatments.
Drug is supplied for free by federal government. There may be a cost for infusion depending on insurance.
More than 70% of SARS-CoV-2 cases in Minnesota attributed to the B.1.1.7 variant, says Lynfield.