8-2 COVID-19 Update from MDH: 6 New Deaths, 632 New Positive Cases

8-2 COVID-19 Update from The Minnesota Department of Health

The Minnesota Department of Health provided an update at 2 p.m. Monday to provide the latest public health information regarding the COVID-19 virus.

Also See: As COVID-19 Cases Grow, MN Health Officials Raise Concerns Over Delta Variant

Latest on COVID-19 Cases

• MDH reported 632 new cases Monday (these are cases reported through 4 a.m. last Friday since data no longer released over weekend). Weekend cases will be released Tuesday.
• MDH reported 6 new deaths, all from people living in long-term care or assisted living facilities. All of the deaths were in people over the age of 70.
•  A total of 7,674 Minnesotans have died due to COVID-19 since the first identified Minnesota case on March 6, 2020.

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• “The number one thing we can do to reduce our risk to slow the spread is to get vaccinated.”
• Much of the national attention has focused on southern states, where health systems are stressed and cases are high. We’ve seen rises in cases in vaccinated Minnesotans at the same time.
• Wear masks when indoors, high rates of transmission.
• List of counties impacted continues to grow. Started with 14 now we have 44 that are considered “high spread.” Metro counties are all in “substantial spread.” Find more info here.
• This is a very “opportunistic” virus. It finds our weak spots and exploits it.
• Hospitalization rate among vaccinated people ranges from 0 in California to 0.06 percent in Arkansas (Source: Kiser Data)
• If you are vaccinated, it’s very rare that you will contract COVID-19.
• Our advice to Minnesotans is straightforward: Get vaccinated. “The latest surge is a pandemic among the un-vaccinated.” Some fully vaccinated people can be contagious with delta variant, but it’s a very small number.
• Counties and cities are able to require masks under Minnesota law.
• Questions about why vaccinated people need to wear masks? Consider an extra layer of projection indoor, crowded spaces to protect all.
• This isn’t something that needs to stop everyone in their tracks, particularly if they are lower risk. Consider masking because you don’t know who is vulnerable around you.
• How effective are mask requirements that are “hodge-podge” where different places have different policies? Malcolm says masks are an extra layer of protection, but not a substitute for vaccinations.
• The point is there’s a lot of the virus moving around the country and it’s here in Minnesota as well. It’s a good idea to heighten our alert.
• Layers of prevention include masking, social distancing, staying home when sick.

Dr. Ruth Lindfield, MDH State Epidemiologist & MDH Medical Director:

• Regen-COV can be given to high risk people who are not fully vaccinated, after they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. This is not a substiute for vaccination against COVID-19. Treatment is a tool, not a substitute for vaccination.
• More information available here.
• Which masks are best? Look for well-fitting, multi-layer masks are best.  Look on MDH website for information about masks.
• 5 out of the 6 deaths reported today happened a month ago and data just came through.

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