Minn. health officials Malcolm, Ehresmann answer your questions about COVID vaccines, restrictions

While new daily cases of COVID-19 are dropping in Minnesota, many people who contracted the virus during the November surge remain hospitalized. 

Minnesota officials on Friday reported 2,737 new cases, less than half the number reported in mid-November. For the first time since late October, the percentage of tests coming back positive dropped below 10 percent.  A rate below 5 percent indicates to public health officials that an outbreak is coming under control. Another 65 new deaths were reported Friday, though officials expect deaths to drop following the drop in infection rates. 

Meanwhile, the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine are slowly making their way to people throughout the state. With the arrival of the first vaccine come questions about who gets it, how many people need to take it to protect the population and whether there will be enough for everyone who wants a dose. 

On Monday, host Kerri Miller spoke with two top Minnesota health officials and took listener questions about the vaccine rollout and the continued restrictions on businesses and social gatherings. 

Guests:

• Jan Malcolm is the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.

• Kris Ehresmann is the director of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division.

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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