9-28 COVID-19 Update from MN Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Update 9-28-2020
Read the 9-28 MN COVID-19 Update from MN Department of Health Here
The Minnesota Department of Health will hold a conference call Monday briefing members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19.
MDH Director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Kris Ehresmann:
- Globally, 33.1 million cases since pandemic began; 998,000 deaths
- In U.S., 7.15 million cases since start of pandemic; 204,000 deaths
- In Minnesota, 97,638 cumulative cases (up 936 cases)
- Of the 97,638 cases, 87,330 (89%) of those are no longer considered infectious.
- In Minnesota, 2,015 total deaths (up 7 deaths)
- The 7 newly reported deaths breakdown by age: 2 in 50s, 1 in 60s, 2 in 70s, 1 in 80s, 1 in 90s
- Higher number of cases reported being admitted to MN ICUs (most since late May)
- 7-day average testing positivity rate is 5.4% (4.4% last week). Above ‘caution threshold’ for last two days.
- Seeing more clusters or outbreaks in workplace settings (3 or more cases is considered an outbreak).
- 89 case clusters in places regulated by Minn. Dept. of Agriculture, including vegetable and dairy processing plants, grocery stores, delis and more.
- 40 case clusters in meat processing plants
- 182 outbreaks in manufacturing plants
- 246 clusters in general businesses of all types
- Many of the cases likely involve instances of people bringing virus into the workplace
- Seeing more and more cases involving people of age 20 to 40 years old
- As of Sept. 24, 77 bar and restaurants investigated for possible outbreaks where COVID-19 spread to patrons.
- 47 of those establishments had enough cases to be counted as an outbreak – 1,416 cases linked to these establishments.
- Also seeing outbreaks associated with funerals, weddings and gyms.
- 37 outbreaks associated with weddings in Minnesota
- 11 with funerals
- 22 with gyms
- 62 with other social settings
- “One event can affect so many people,” said Ehresmann. “Being outdoors is not a substitute for safe practices.”
MDH Assistant Commissioner Dan Huff:
- “We’re really excited and pleased with the testing capacity that we have built in Minnesota,” said Huff. We have achieved the 20,000 tests per day capacity ‘moon shot,’ the goal set by Governor Tim Walz.
- Topped 30,000 tests conducted on Friday, said Huff.
Q&A Session and Notes:
- Wisconsin reports 2,217 new cases of COVID-19 Sunday with a positivity rate of 27.6%
- President Donald Trump announcing the federal government will begin distributing millions of rapid coronavirus tests to states this week.
- The president urges governors to use the rapid tests to reopen schools for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
- The rapid test, developed by Abbott, delivers results in about 15 minutes.
- “There have been calls with leadership about more testing becoming available,” said Ehresmann, referring to calls with federal government.
- Seeing more and more outbreaks associated with people not staying home while sick, not isolating themselves, said Ehresmann.
- On Big Ten Conference resuming football, other sports, robust testing of athletes will be implemented. Testing capacity not in limited supply right now, MDH officials say it won’t overburden system at this point.
- Plan to make more information on K-12 schools and COVID-19 cases this Thursday. MDH also plans to make a data tool for colleges as well. School and college dashboard expected to be updated weekly.
- “We know that people are frustrated and we also know that some people don’t agree with the policies that we have set forth,” said Huff. “But it’s really important to separate our frustration with policies, our frustration with the situation we find ourselves in.”
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