COVID-19 Daily Briefing: Status of virus as third phase of ‘Stay Safe MN’ plan launches

Wednesday, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Commissioner Jan Malcolm and MDH Infectious Disease Division Director Kris Ehresmann gave an update on the current status of COVID-19 in Minnesota.

Here’s what was discussed:

Situation in Minnesota

Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 352 new cases that have tested positive for COVID-19, pushing the state’s total to 28,869 cases. MDH also reported 19 additional deaths Wednesday, moving the state’s total to 1,236.

Of those deaths, Malcolm said four were in their 90s, seven in their 80s, five in their 70s, two in their 60s and one person in his/her/their 30s, who had underlying health issues. Malcolm said, of Wednesday’s death total, 13 occurred in congregate care settings.

Of the entire death total, 984 have occurred in long-term care or assisted living facilities, MDH reported.

MDH reports 352 new COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths

Malcolm said hospitalization statistics continue to be stable or showing improvement. As of Wednesday, 3,482 total cases have required hospitalization, MDH reports. Of that total, 427 remained in the hospital Wednesday with 193 in intensive care.

Malcolm said case counts and positivity are below where the state was in May.

Phase 3 of the ‘Stay Safe MN’ plan

Malcolm discussed the fact that the third phase of the state’s “Stay Safe MN” plan went into effect Wednesday.

The new phase allows movie theaters, bowling alleys, gyms and pools to open to the public while also loosening restrictions for bars and restaurants.

Phase 3 of the Governor’s plan for reopening Minnesota goes into effect Wednesday

Malcolm reminded Minnesotans that customers and employees will still need to wear masks and to practice social distancing.

She added that following existing measures to prevent the spread of the virus will help given the virus’s continued, highly unpredictable nature. Malcolm said Minnesotans should prepare for this virus to be present in the community for many more months.

Testing process

Malcolm also advised that Minnesotans who attended recent protests, vigils and participated in neighborhood gatherings be tested for COVID-19.

She said there are testing sites for neighborhoods most heavily affected and added that those sites have been running testing smoothly so far. She also asked those seeking a COVID-19 test do so by signing up on the MDH website.

State peak

Malcolm said it’s too early to say whether the state has peaked in terms of cases. She and Ehresmann both said although it seems as if the virus has been present for a long time, state health officials are still collecting data and learning about how exactly the virus behaves.

Malcolm said it’s entirely possible the state could see the virus pattern shift again, with a spike in cases, even if the state enters into a sustained plateau phase.

For additional information on case patterns, Malcolm said state health officials are looking at data from states that had earlier experiences, such as Washington, as well as other states in the Midwest region.

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