COVID-19 Daily Briefing: Data reporting issue resolved, spike in cases in Mower County noted
FILE - This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus causes COVID-19. The sample was isolated from a patient in the U.S. On Tuesday, April 21, 2020, U.S. health regulators OK'd the first coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home, a new approach that could help expand testing options in most states. The sample will still have to be shipped for processing back to LabCorp, which operates diagnostic labs throughout the U.S.[NIAID-RML via AP]
Wednesday, state health officials discussed the current state of COVID-19 in Minnesota.
Here’s what was discussed:
Situation in Minnesota
Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 419 new cases that have tested positive for COVID-19, pushing the state’s total to 31,296 cases.
MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties continue to consistently report the highest number of cases.
Meanwhile, MDH also reported 12 additional deaths Wednesday, moving the state’s total to 1,325. Of the entire total, 1,051 have occurred in long-term care or assisted living facilities, MDH reported.
MDH reports 419 new COVID-19 cases, 12 new deaths, nearly 20,000 tests completed
The department stated, as of Wednesday, a total of 448,587 tests have been completed. According to Malcolm, the reason that number is so high Wednesday is due to a data reporting issue from one of the external labs in recent days. That issue was resolved Tuesday, Malcolm said, and a backlog of tests recently processed contributed to the higher number reported Wednesday.
The same is true for the number of positive tests reported Wednesday. Malcolm said some of those cases likely came in earlier in the week and during the past weekend.
In terms of hospital occupancy, Malcolm said although it’s fairly high, that volume is also driven by general health issues, not just those related to COVID-19.
Malcolm said it’s not abnormal to see higher occupancy during this time of the year, adding that there has actually been decrease in general hospitalizations recently.
Malcolm also said state leaders planned for hospital surge capacity, stating that Minnesota is in as good of shape as it could be at this point.
Mower County update
According to MDH Infectious Disease Division Director Kris Ehresmann, Mower County reported 70 new cases, putting the county at 734 total cases, which is now the second-highest incidence of cases in Minnesota.
Ehresmann said health officials are looking into this spike in cases, stating community testing will be conducted this weekend.
Based on preliminary information, Ehresmann said officials are seeing activity in the community and the spike could also be related to a couple of large employers in the area.
Impact of protests, community events on virus spread
Last week, Malcolm advised that Minnesotans who attended recent protests, vigils and participated in neighborhood gatherings be tested for COVID-19.
This week, Malcolm said it’s still too early to draw complete conclusions on whether those gatherings contributed to the increased spread of the virus.
Malcolm said it’s encouraging to not see a current spike, adding that it will be helpful to look at a longer period of time.
Ehresmann agreed, saying state health officials will continue to monitor data in the weeks ahead. Ehresmann said health officials are pleased and grateful to see relatively low increases in positivity rates.