COVID-19 Update from the MN Department of Health | 7-15-2020

Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Update 7-15-2020

Read the 7-13-2020 COVID-19 Update from the Minnesota Department of Health Here

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

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, 13.4 million cases, 580,000 deaths
• (Note this map shows world and U.S. situation: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
• In U.S., 3.4 million cases, 136,000 deaths (U.S. has 4.5% of world’s population, but 25% of all cases, 23% of all deaths)
• In MN, 43,742 confirmed cases (up 578); 1,518 deaths (up 8)
• One of the MN deaths was person in 40s
• Median age of cases continues to trend downward: 37.5 this week, last week 38.2, 40.5 a month ago.
• Young adults and teens (ages 29 and younger) now make up 35% of the state’s total cases, but only two of the total deaths
• Minnesota’s cases per 100,000 residents: 10.65 (7-day rolling average). A week ago it was 6.86.
• Hospitalized as of today: 254, hospitalized in ICU as of today: 106
• 10.5% increase in new cases over last week, one of the largest percentage spikes in MN since pandemic began.

MDH Infectious Diseases Director Kris Ehresmann:

• Mentioned Make A Plan MN: this helps families for planning purposes should a family member in their home get sick. Instances of parents with COVID-19 too sick to take care of children.
• MN on New York’s travel restriction list.
• Minnesotans must complete online screenings when traveling to New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, plus voluntarily quarantine themselves for 14 days upon arrival.

MDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield:

• “All of us have a role to play” to curb spread COVID-19.
• 41 states are having an increase in cases. “This is a moment for all of us to take a step back and think what we can do to slow transmission,” Lynfield said.
• “As Minnesotans we care about each other and we care about public health,” she said.
• Other countries are doing better than us, Lynfield said.
• Lynfield says by doing our part it will help our economy and small businesses. (Note: CDC director Robert Redfield mentions this too: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768532?
• We know people are sick and tired of precautions, she said. “This is not the time for people to let up our guard.”

Q&A Session and Notes:

• M Health Fairview announced retail antibody testing option (serology testing for COVID-19 exposure). Is this a good option? Lynfield: “There are still questions about immunity and about the length of immunity.” We don’t how long immunity may last.
  • Also mentioned there could be false positives and false negatives.
  • Convalescent plasma used to treat patients. Lynfield encourages donors who’ve had COVID to do this. This transfers plasma from previously infected individuals to provide antibodies to patients.
• Are we getting better at treating serious cases of the novel coronavirus? Lynfield: We do have treatments now that do appear to improve the course of illness.
  • “The number of outbreaks in long-term care facilities has gone down.” However, seeing more cases in young people. Concerned they may spread it to people who are more vulnerable to disease.
  • Lynfield: “Sad to say, but I do expect to see increase in deaths (deaths from COVID-19 in MN) in coming weeks.”
• Any discussions around closing bars again? Malcolm: “We are very much keeping track of the data.” “We are working very closely with leaders in the hospitality sector,” said Malcolm.
• Malcolm comfortable with supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) on hand, but supply-chain issues with lab testing reagents. Supply-chain issues emerging with PPE as well.
• White House effectively cutting CDC out of reporting data. How do hospitals report testing cases? Malcolm: “Sweeping changes just made” by federal government in how data provided. “Deep concern to us.”
  • “We have no insight why new data platform is necessary,” said Malcolm.
  • Fed government will only supply PPE and drug remdesivir if states comply with new data platform. Malcolm says state doing this to help hospitals
  • “Any hoops in sharing of data is not welcome at this time,” said Malcolm.
• Rural school districts working diligently to prepare for fall. When will it get decided on which scenario? Getting crucial to decide soon. Malcolm: this is a decision the Governor and Minnesota Department of Education will be making. MDH working closely with them.
  • It’s very possible to use all three plans during year, said Malcolm.
  • Three plans are: 1) In-classroom learning 2) Hybrid model 3) Distance learning only
  • As Walz administration previously said, expect announcement no later than July 27
• Ehresmann: “Even people who have asymptomatic infections can have long-term sequela (complications from COVID-19).
  • Mortality Rates:
  • birth to age 19: none
  • 20-29: .02% (2 deaths out of 10,097 cases)
  • 30-39: .13% (11 deaths out of 8,256 cases)
  • 40-49: .31% (20 deaths out of 6,441 cases)
  • 50-59: 1.36% (78 deaths out of 5,741 cases)
  • 60-69: 5.47% (184 deaths out of 3,366 cases)
  • 70-79: 15.26% (287 deaths of 1,181 cases)
  • 80-89: 30.82% (516 out of 1,674 cases)
  • 90-99: 44.48% (391 out of 879 cases)
  • 100+: 58% (29 deaths out 50 cases)

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