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Tracking cases in Minnesota

Daily analysis on COVID-19 in MN 

Minnesota officials on Tuesday reported another 22 COVID-19 deaths, extending an already difficult December — 434 deaths posted in the first eight days, following more than 1,100 deaths in November.

The new COVID-19 caseload was modest — 3,080 newly confirmed or probable cases — but this reflected very low testing levels, not an improvement in the state’s outbreak.

New hospital admissions continued to ebb from last Tuesday’s record. Still, hospitalizations remain high. Officials say more than 1,600 people remain in the hospital with COVID-19, with more than 350 needing intensive care.

The newest numbers are part of a crucial week of news and decision-making around the pandemic. Gov. Tim Walz and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday 

laid out details on the distribution of vaccines in Minnesota

By week’s end, state public health leaders say evidence of an expected new wave of cases and hospitalizations originating from Thanksgiving holiday gatherings is likely to begin to surface. 

The deaths reported Tuesday raised Minnesota’s count to 4,027. Among those who’ve died, about two-thirds had been living in long-term care or assisted living facilities; most had underlying health problems.

The newest numbers put Minnesota’s total of confirmed or probable cases at 359,203 to date. In about 88 percent of those cases, people have recovered to the point they no longer need to be isolated.

People in their 20s still make up the age bracket with the state’s largest number of confirmed cases  — nearly 70,000 since the pandemic began, including more than 37,000 among people ages 20 to 24.

The number of high school-age children confirmed with the disease has also grown, with more than 28,000 total cases among children ages 15 to 19 since the pandemic began. 

Although less likely to feel the worst effects of the disease and end up hospitalized, experts worry youth and young adults will spread it to grandparents and other vulnerable populations. 

It’s especially concerning because people can have the coronavirus and spread COVID-19 when they don’t have symptoms. 

MN critical care doctors sounding the alarm

In Minnesota and its neighbors in Upper Midwest

Here’s what you need to know about the new rules

Central and northern Minnesota drove much of the increase in new cases over the past five weeks, while Hennepin and Ramsey counties showed some of the slowest case growth in the state.

After a spike in confirmed cases through much of November, all regions of the state have seen new case numbers plateau or start to fall in recent days. Hard-hit northwestern Minnesota may soon have fewer new cases per capita than the metro.

Hot spots continue to pop up in rural counties relative to their population.

Here’s what to do

If you test positive for the coronavirus this winter

In Minnesota and across the country, COVID-19 has hit 

communities of color disproportionately hard

 in both cases and deaths. That’s been especially true for

, together with deeply rooted health and economic disparities, have hampered efforts to boost testing among communities of color, officials say, especially among unauthorized immigrants who fear their personal information may be used to deport them.

How COVID is disproportionately hitting Minnesota’s Latino community

Similar trends have been seen among Minnesota’s Indigenous residents. Counts among Indigenous people

Officials continue to plead with Minnesotans to wear masks in public gathering spaces, socially distance, stay home if they don’t feel well and otherwise stay vigilant against the spread of COVID-19.

Besides Tuesday’s announcement on vaccine distribution, the governor this week also plans to say if he’ll extend his 

current order banning in-person bar and restaurant service

Even as vaccinations near, the “hardest weeks” still lie ahead, Walz on Monday announced that Minnesota would trim its quarantine guidance for those who’ve been exposed to COVID-19 

He urged Minnesotans to hang on. “We’re getting close here. Just dig deep. Wear the masks. Try not to gather outside your own family, and let’s get this thing done.”

Gov. Tim Walz and state health leaders brief reporters on plans to rollout vaccines:

Gov. Tim Walz and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are taking reporter questions on vaccine distribution:

Mayo Clinic suspending some southern MN clinic operations amid COVID

Mayo Clinic Health System says it is has temporarily suspended operations at its Belle Plaine clinic and will be temporarily suspending operations at the Mankato-Northridge, Le Sueur, Janesville and Waterville clinics as of Monday.

The reason: the ongoing surge of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

“Suspensions are necessary to reallocate staff to other critical care needs in response to the COVID-19 surge,” the organization said.

The closures are expected to last six weeks. COVID-19 testing is still taking place at the Belle Plaine Clinic.

Minnesota officials expected to detail COVID-19 vaccine plan:

 With the FDA poised to allow a COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer to go to market, Minnesota’s plan is expected to focus on healthcare workers and residents of long-term care first. 

As COVID-19 spreads in Minn. prisons, loved ones worry:

 Prisons have lowered their numbers and taken other measures to stem the virus’s spread. But that hasn’t been enough to stop deadly outbreaks in Minnesota and across the United States — and family members and advocates say state and federal governments haven’t done enough to keep their loved ones safe.

How COVID is disproportionately hitting Minnesota’s Latino community:

 The rising COVID-19 cases are startling everywhere, but the rates in the Latino community in Minnesota and across the country are particularly alarming. Many Latinos work essential jobs that can't be done remotely and are more likely to be exposed to the virus. And those who are not authorized to be in the country are in a particular bind: They don’t qualify for government benefits that can be a financial lifeline for families struggling during the pandemic.

Minnesota ice fishing contests adapt amid pandemic:

 Large ice fishing contests — a beloved tradition of Minnesota winters for outdoor enthusiasts — are expected to be on hold or look completely different this winter due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Cloud sidewalk chalk artist spreads joy with masked paintings:

An artist in St. Cloud is spreading a little cheer during the COVID-19 pandemic through sidewalk chalk murals of classic paintings — with their famous subjects wearing masks.

Data in these graphs are based on the Minnesota Department of Health's cumulative totals released at 11 a.m. daily. You can find more detailed statistics on COVID-19 at the 

How it compares with other diseases in 5 charts

Full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic

Minnesota and the Upper Midwest

Minnesota News

Health

NewsPartners

COVID-19

MPR News Staff

Author

The newest numbers are part of a crucial week of COVID-19 news and decision-making. Gov. Tim Walz and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday rallied around a plan for vaccinations expected to start before Christmas.

A plastic container holding bags sits on a cart in front of a car.

Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News

New COVID-19 related deaths reported in Minnesota each day

David H. Montgomery | MPR News

New COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota

New Minnesota COVID-19 cases by age, adjusted for population

Percent of COVID-19 tests to come back positive

MN counties with the fastest per-capita growth in COVID-19 cases

Active, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota

Dec. 8 update on COVID-19 in MN: 22 more deaths; 3K new cases

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