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Minnesota’s COVID-19 data continues to show the pandemic receding, although the goal of getting at least one vaccine dose into 70 percent of the state’s 16-and-older population by July 1 is turning into a slow march.

Officials remain hopeful, noting that the 70-percent goal has been reached already in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Outside the region, however, it’s only about 57 percent. At the current pace, Minnesota might not hit 70 percent until late July.

Overall, though, the disease metrics are looking good in the early days of June. Falling daily case counts and low positive test rates are signaling the COVID-19 virus is less prevalent in Minnesota than at any time since the pandemic’s first month or so.

Analysis of COVID-19 data in Minnesota

How to get a COVID-19 shot in Minnesota

COVID-19 in Minnesota

How quickly have conditions improved? Friday’s state Health Department report showed Minnesota’s averaging only 231 new cases a day over the past seven reporting days. A month ago, it topped 1,500 a day. 

Meanwhile, the count of known, active COVID-19 cases stayed below 2,500 for the fourth consecutive reporting day — the first time that’s happened since April 2020.

As of Thursday, there are 252 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Minnesota; 66 in intensive care. Both figures continue to trend down from their spring peaks. In late April, hospitalizations were approaching 700 people, with more than 200 in ICUs.

Average daily hospital admissions have fallen by about half over the past two weeks.

Sixteen newly reported deaths on Saturday put Minnesota’s pandemic toll at 7,461. Most of those who died in the most recent report lived in private residences. Only two were in a long-term care or assisted living facility. The dead ranged in age from the late 50s to over 90.

Among those who have died, about 60 percent had been living in long-term care or assisted-living facilities; most had underlying health problems.

Deaths outside of long-term care have seen a significant drop recently. They’re averaging three per day now compared to nine daily deaths a month ago.

The state’s recorded 602,428 total confirmed or probable cases so far in the pandemic, including the 302 posted Friday.

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 now they are low and plunging in every age group and every region.

People in their 20s still make up the age bracket with the state’s largest number of confirmed cases — more than 111,000 since the pandemic began.

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. 

About teenagers and the COVID-19 vaccine in MN

Unvaccinated kids and updated mask guidance

The vaccination pace has been struggling to regain its traction the past six weeks and is now declining rapidly. Minnesota is down to just over 5,000 new first doses per day. And this rate is falling.

More than 2.8 million residents 16 and older now have at least one vaccine dose. More than 2.6 million have completed their vaccinations as of Friday’s update. 

That works out to about 59.5 percent of the 16-and-older population completely vaccinated and 64.9 percent with at least one shot, including 90 percent of those 65 and older. 

Minnesota’s seen notable growth in the number of children ages 12 to 15 getting vaccinated since mid-May, when 

federal authorities approved the Pfizer vaccine for use at those ages

Health Department data shows more than 80,000 12-to-15-year-olds with at least one dose. That’s about 28 percent of that population already with at least one shot. The pace, though, has dropped off significantly following the early surge.

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 

, including state park passes and Minnesota State Fair tickets, to nudge people to get their shots. Around 2,000 people have registered to get an incentive so far, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters Wednesday. 

Minnesota rolls out free beer to cheer the vaccinated

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

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The number of newly reported cases ticked up to 302 Saturday from 257 the day before. The waning vaccination pace remains a worry, but overall state data shows the pandemic receding.

A nurse talks over the process with a student.

Dan Kraker | MPR News File

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

David H. Montgomery | MPR News

Active, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota

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

New COVID-19 related deaths reported in Minnesota each day

Newly reported COVID-19 vaccine doses in Minnesota

Graph showing total COVID-19 vaccinations by age

June 5 COVID-19 update in MN: Pandemic pulling back; vaccinations stumbling ahead

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