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Wednesday’s state Health Department data offers more evidence that COVID-19 is in retreat after a spring surge. But vaccinations are only inching forward now, raising concerns that hundreds of thousands of Minnesota adults might choose to go unvaccinated. 

That concern is overshadowing an overall positive pandemic picture. The latest numbers show new case counts below 700 a day for the past three days — the first time that’s happened since late February — while active case counts and hospitalizations are retreating.

ended Minnesota’s statewide mask-wearing order

 last week, officials acknowledged the need to do more to get shots into the arms of Minnesota adults who still don’t have them.

Analysis of COVID-19 data in Minnesota

How to get a COVID-19 shot in Minnesota

From across Minnesota

From MPR News

COVID-19 in Minnesota

Active cases, hospitalizations trending down

Despite concerns around the sputtering vaccination rate, the overall pandemic picture continues to brighten. 

As of Wednesday, the count of known, active COVID-19 cases came in at 7,000, the lowest level since March 9. Active cases have fallen by half over the past two weeks and are down nearly two-thirds from their most recent high of around 20,000 in mid-April. 

There were 420 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Minnesota; 112 needed intensive care. Both figures continue to trend down from their April peaks. New hospital admissions have dropped significantly and are trending at six-week lows. 

Fifteen newly reported deaths Wednesday brought Minnesota’s pandemic toll to 7,325. Among those who have died, about 60 percent had been living in long-term care or assisted-living facilities; most had underlying health problems. 

The state has recorded 596,186 total confirmed or probable cases so far in the pandemic, including the 658 posted Wednesday — the third consecutive day of fewer than 700 new daily cases.

About 98 percent of Minnesotans known to be infected with COVID-19 in the pandemic have recovered to the point where they no longer need to isolate. 

Regionally, all parts of Minnesota are in better shape than they were in late November and early December. Case counts had crept up across the state during April, but the trend is clearly on the slide. 

Officials continue to implore Minnesotans to keep their guard up during proms, graduations and other spring events, noting that more contagious COVID-19 variants are driving new cases across the state.

While the overall trends are solid, officials are increasingly concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in younger people. They’ve been urging 

more testing of middle and high school students

 and weekly testing for athletes, coaches, referees and other youth sports participants. 

People in their 20s still make up the age bracket with the state’s largest number of confirmed cases — more than 110,000 since the pandemic began. 

The number of high school-age youth confirmed with the disease has also grown, with more than 48,000 15-to-19-year-olds known to be infected during the pandemic. 

Although young people are less likely to feel the worst effects of the disease and end up hospitalized, experts worry they will spread it unknowingly to older relatives and members of other vulnerable populations. Those with the COVID-19 virus can spread it when they don’t have symptoms.

About teenagers and the COVID-19 vaccine in MN

Unvaccinated kids and updated mask guidance

More than 2.7 million residents 16 and older now have at least one vaccine dose; more than 2.3 million have completed their vaccinations as of Wednesday’s update. 

That works out to about 53.7 percent of the 16-and-older population completely vaccinated and 61.9 percent with at least one shot, including 88 percent of those 65 and older. 

The vaccination pace, however, has plummeted in recent weeks. The seven-day trend is running at about 34,000 shots daily, hovering at levels not seen since late February. Minnesota was averaging 60,000 shots a day at one point in mid-April. 

State public health leaders have been pleading with those still not vaccinated to get their shots. Eligible Minnesotans can now walk in for a COVID-19 vaccination without an appointment at the state’s 

Officials are not yet reporting vaccinations among newly eligible 12-to-15-year-olds, but they’ve reported about 18,000 new vaccinations the past few days of people with “unknown” age. 

Most of these are probably 12-to-15-year-olds who aren’t being properly reported by the Health Department’s computer systems, designed in a world where the minimum age for COVID-19 vaccines was 16.

Listen to the health department call here.

Latest developments from around Minnesota

Target drops mask requirement for fully vaccinated shoppers

Minneapolis-based Target said employees and customers who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear face masks in stores, unless mandated by local ordinances. 

The company said it will "strongly" recommend that those who are not fully vaccinated use face coverings. Target said its policy change is consistent with CDC  recommendations. 

Face coverings will still be required for everyone in places where local ordinances require them.

Clinical trials underway for 5-and-younger COVID-19 vaccinations: 

Early trials for using the COVID-19 vaccine on those 5 years old and younger are underway. Parents who've enrolled their kids in these studies say the risk is worth it for the greater good.

Confused by CDC's latest mask guidance? Here's what we've learned:

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shifted to less restrictive mask guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, some leaders in the public health world felt blindsided. While some people rejoiced, others say they feel the change has come too soon. What's the new guidance mean for kids? For travel? For work? Experts weigh in.

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 to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota

Tracking the vaccination progress in the U.S.

Full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic

Minnesota News

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Author

Wednesday’s data offers more evidence COVID-19 is receding. But the vaccine pace is languishing, raising concerns that hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans might go unvaccinated. 

Evan Frost | MPR News

Active, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota

David H. Montgomery | MPR News

Graph of new ICU and non-ICU COVID-19 hospitalizations

New COVID-19 related deaths reported in Minnesota each day

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

Graph showing when Minnesota is on target to vaccinated 70% of adults

May 19 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active caseloads falling; vaccination pace crawling

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