6-15-2020 COVID-19 Update from the MN Department of Health

Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Update 6-15-2020

Read the 6-12-2020 COVID-19 Update from Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health Here

The Minnesota Department of Health held a conference call Friday to brief members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, 7.9 million cases, 434,000 deaths; In U.S., 2.15 million cases, 115,000 deaths
• Total number of confirmed cases in MN since pandemic began is 30,693 (up 230). This is third day of decline after three days of increases.
• Total number of deaths in MN is 1,304 (up 6). Death total increase lowest since April 12
• 1,034 of the deaths (79%) have involved residents of long-term care or assisted-living facilities in MN.
• 353 people hospitalized for COVID-19,  (186 in ICU). That’s lowest number of hospitalizations since late April.
• 5,031 tests for COVID-19 conducted Sunday (**Note – Malcolm says there was a computer problem, however, so testing number expected higher). Daily figures reported on Monday by MDH have typically been lower than other days of the week.
• Hospital capacity overall since running fairly high, since other important surgeries have resumed.
• Seven-day rolling average of positivity rate is 3.5%. That’s trending downward of previous week of 4.1%

MDH Infectious Disease Division Director Kris Ehresmann:

• New guidance regarding window visitations at long-term care facilities.
• Restrictions still in place for in-person visits at LTC facilities.
• “Connecting with people of long-term care is important for their well-being,” said Ehresmann.

Q&A Session and Notes:

• Other states seeing case growth and hospitalizations, such as Arizona and Texas. Will MN be spared or is this something to expect in the future? Ehresmann: “It’s a little bit of both.” Minnesota reopened a lot of businesses June 1. Waiting to see result of that. Too soon to say “we dodged that bullet,” said Ehresmann.
  • Still look worse than Wisconsin. Why is that? Malcolm: State restrictions were more lax in Wisconsin, however, wasn’t completely all at one time reopening. “We started off more slowly than they did,” she said. Food processing outbreaks impacted Minnesota. “Super-spreader” events can be an event of chance. We continue to learn from neighboring states.
    • Ehresmann: “We all want to do what is best for our citizens.” “We’re not really competing in COVID-19. We’re just trying to do the right thing.”
• Computer modeling data off by a factor of 10 times, says House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt. Answer: Model not intended to make specific point-in-time projections. Some of the projections not too far off, said Malcolm.
• Daudt also criticized returning COVID-19 patients back to long-term care facilities, that it’s causing deaths. Malcolm: The transfer of patients back to LTC settings is not causing deaths, she said. It’s not an accurate statement to say that transfers are causing deaths.
  • Ehresmann: “We want to be attentive” to this, but have not seen data to back this up.
  • Malcolm: There are specific criteria that has to be met before a facility is allowed to accept a patient who tested positive for COVID-19
  • May “seem counterintuitive,” but LTC facility may be best place for COVID-19 patient, said Malcolm, because of level of expertise in care, and that these patients are more isolated from general public.
• Have contact tracers found anything from the recent business reopenings? Ehresmann: a couple patients from recent mass gathering (related to George Floyd tragedy), but we have not had a situation of a cluster of cases from restaurant X or house of worship Y.
• Situations different in greater Minnesota than Twin Cities. Should there be one-size fits all? Malcolm: approach so-far has been statewide, don’t disagree situations are different. With the degree of community spread we have, it’s difficult to refine that even more. A regional approach would require limiting travel.
• Should legislature give more input, than Walz having his broad authority? Malcolm: Walz appreciates the checks and balances. House and Senate bodies could vote to override Walz. That hasn’t happened yet. (GOP-controlled Senate has, DFL-controlled House hasn’t).
• Are child wellness visits and vaccinations rebounding? Malcolm: We have been concerned about that.
  • Ehresmann: We are continuing to see vaccination rates below that what is typical. We want parents to know that kids continue to get evaluated. “It’s a message that we need to continue to convey.” That goes for adults too and their wellness visits.
• Alternative care site in Roseville is complete. How will it be used? Malcolm: We are not at the point of anticipating any patients going into this site. It’s a proof of concept of what it takes to set one up. We feel good that it’s ready.
• Two weeks out from Floyd rallies. Any conclusions yet? Malcolm: We still think it’s too early to draw conclusions. (Expect to learn more in another week). The people who attended rallies more likely not to experience symptoms given more were younger.
  • Ehresmann: “We’re reluctant to celebrate,” given the June 1 and June 10 business reopenings.
• When can we draw definitive conclusions? Ehresmann: incubation period is 14, plus testing time. So about 21 days after big event.
• Hayward, Wis., no one social distancing, but also very few cases and people traveling up there. Is it possible some activities (outdoors) don’t spread disease. Malcolm: Yes, outdoor activities can mitigate the virus, but some of this we’re studying.
  • Ehresmann: Population density also plays a role for sure as compared to say New York City.
  • It’s also possible there’s some seasonality to this novel coronavirus, said Ehresmann. “I just think it’s best that we don’t know everything about COVID after just six months.” I’m happy Hayward has been doing okay.
  • Malcolm: There may less risk of transmission of the population that’s there. “We still don’t recommend large gatherings” even in a less populated area.
• Expand on guidance to long-term care facilities? Malcolm: we’re very aware of negative impacts of families not being able to be together.
  • Malcolm: We’re looking at outdoor guidance as well, not just window visitations. We’re trying to strike balance, but it’s challenging. More interaction, the more likely to be transmission.
  • Ehresmann: Some facilities obligated to follow federal guidance, given their licensing.

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