9-30 Coronavirus Update from MN Department of Health

Minnesota Department of Health Coronavirus Update 9-30-2020

Read the 9-28 MN COVID-19 Update from MN Department of Health Here

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

MDH Director of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Kris Ehresmann:

• Globally, 33.6 million cases since start of pandemic; 1.01 million deaths
• In U.S., 7.1 million cases since pandemic began; 206,000 deaths
• In Minnesota, 99,134 cumulative cases (up 689 cases over previous reporting day). Cases based on 12,820 tests Tuesday, lowest testing volume in 7 days.
• Of the 99, 134 cases, 89,392 (90%) no longer considered infectious
• In Minnesota, 2,036 total deaths (up 16 over previous day).
• The 16 deaths is highest total in one month.
• Age group breakdown of the 16 newly reported deaths: 5 in 60s, 3 in 70s, 4 in 80s, 4 in 90s. 9 of the 16 lived at long-term care or assisted living facilities. Four of the deaths in Hennepin County.
• Hospitals experiencing highest surge of patients since late May
• 7-day case positivity rate is 5.4% (up from 4.6% last week). Above 5% ‘caution threshold.’
• MDH says some bars and restaurants target of COVID-19 compliance check scams for mask mandate violations. MDH will NOT issue a fine upon an initial inspection. Establishments encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
• “Now is the perfect time to get your flu vaccine,” said Ehresmann. Getting a flu vaccine will help with hospital case load, said Ehresmann. 4,058 hospitalizations last season due to flu in MN. Ehresmann says she’s getting her flu shot Saturday.

Q&A Session and Notes:

• Efforts to social distance last spring helped reduce flu transmission last spring, said Ehresmann. “We’re hoping we’ll continue to see that this fall,” she said. Don’t know if COVID will serve as a replacement for flu activity or if they will circulate simultaneously.
• “We are definitely seeing increasing COVID activity, in part because of the Labor Day weekend and the addition of increased interaction in the school and sports settings,” Ehresmann said.
• American Academy of Pediatrics survey shows increase in cases among kids. Also seeing this trend in Minnesota. MDH attributes this to interactions at school settings and athletics.
  • More increases in 15-19 and 20-24 age groups.
  • Age breakdown of cases in kids and college students will be published by MDH on Friday
  • Continue to see cases not just with school, but out-of-school social gatherings. Most cases happening off campus, outside of school, said Ehresmann.
• Germany offers guidance for people in buildings to open windows twice a day for five minutes.
• Visitation guidance for long-term care facilities
• MDH preparing technologically for reporting requirements ahead of vaccine distribution

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