A winter storm is expected to arrive Sunday and continue into Monday

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

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 gathering

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

Subscribe to the MPR News with Kerri Miller podcast on: 

Shows

Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Health

COVID-19

Host

Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and state infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann talk about Minnesota COVID-19 cases in the wake of restrictions on restaurants, bars and gyms and answer listener questions about the vaccine rollout. 

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

A woman pulls her sleeve up as she is given a shot by another woman.

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

Go Deeper.

Like this?