Cooler but still well above normal this week

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Monday’s COVID-19 data is packed with more signs the pandemic is in retreat. Active cases are down to their lowest level in mid-September. New daily cases have dropped significantly — and no new deaths were reported.

The vaccination pace, at about 40,000 shots a day, is starting to show some traction again after weeks of free-fall.

The positive news comes as Minnesota prepares to end all 

remaining statewide COVID-19 restrictions later this week

Analysis of COVID-19 data in Minnesota

How to get a COVID-19 shot in Minnesota

From MPR News

COVID-19 in Minnesota

Anxious weeks during the spring case surge are giving way now to a brightening pandemic picture.

The count of known, active COVID-19 cases is down to 5,720 — its lowest point since mid-September and down dramatically from its most recent high of around 20,000 in mid-April, state Health Department data shows.

There were 378 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Minnesota; 100 needed intensive care. Both figures continue to trend down from their April peaks. New hospital admissions have dropped significantly and are trending at around two-month lows. 

With no newly reported deaths, Minnesota’s pandemic toll remained at 7,370. 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 599,234 total confirmed or probable cases so far in the pandemic, including the 469 posted Monday — the tenth consecutive day of fewer than 1,000 new cases and the first time since mid-September the state saw two consecutive days below 500.

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.

People in their 20s still make up the age bracket with the state’s largest number of confirmed cases — about 111,000 since the pandemic began. The number of high school-age youth confirmed with the disease has also grown, with more than 49,000 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 can 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

About 2.8 million residents 16 and older now have at least one vaccine dose; about 2.5 million have completed their vaccinations as of Monday’s update. 

That works out to about 56.8 percent of the 16-and-older population completely vaccinated and 63.5 percent with at least one shot, including 89 percent of those 65 and older. 

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 as of Monday they had more than 58,000 new vaccinations of people with “unknown” age. 

Most of these are probably 12-to-15-year-olds who aren’t yet being properly reported by the Health Department’s computer systems.

After a wild ride of a year, high school takes prom to the park: 

COVID-19 restrictions prompted Forest Lake Area High School to plan a prom outside the box. Instead of a dance in the gymnasium, they rented out an amusement park — Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America.

After months of a racing heart and burning feet, a COVID long-hauler gets a diagnosis:

Jennifer Minhas is among those who are suffering lingering problems after COVID-19. A diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a little-known circulation disorder, offers a way forward.

Schools are dropping mask requirements, but a new CDC study suggests they shouldn't:

The study arrives as states and school districts across the country have begun scaling back or simply dropping their masking requirements for staff and students alike.

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

Health

NewsPartners

COVID-19

MPR News Staff

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Monday’s COVID-19 data is packed with more signs the pandemic is in retreat. Active cases are down to their lowest level in mid-September, and the vaccination pace is starting to show some traction again.

May 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: Active cases falling; no new deaths

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