Daily COVID-19 briefing: Updated numbers, outbreaks among young people at bars

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) leaders addressed an array of topics during Friday’s COVID-19 daily briefing, including an update on state and national coronavirus numbers and information about emerging outbreaks among young people related to bars.

Updated numbers:

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm gave an update on COVID-19 numbers locally and around the world. Worldwide, there have been over 9.6 million confirmed cases and just under a half-million deaths.

In the U.S., there are just under 2.5 million confirmed cases and 120,000 deaths.

Here in Minnesota, there are 34,616 confirmed cases, which is up 498 since yesterday. That increase of 498 cases is now the third day with increasing case counts in the state. There were also an additional five deaths due to COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total to 1,411 total deaths since the pandemic began. A total of 335 patients are currently hospitalized with 157 in intensive care.

Minnesota sees 5 additional COVID-19 deaths, 498 new positive cases

Young person outbreak:

MDH Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Kris Ehresmann said that the department is tracking outbreaks of young people related to bars.

There have been over 100 confirmed cases related to bars over the June 12-13 weekend. Rounders and the 507 in Mankato were noted as outbreak centers. People that have frequented those establishments and are experiencing symptoms are urged to be evaluated for COVID-19. A large concern among young people that have been infected is that they work at child care facilities and could potentially spread the virus to children and their parents. "Just because you feel you’re not at risk doesn’t mean you can’t get COVID and spread it," Ehresmann said.

There were another 30 cases associated with bars in Minneapolis. Those that were at Kollege Klub in Dinkytown or Cowboy Jacks downtown, and those experiencing symptoms are urged to be evaluated. The onset for the Minneapolis bars is between June 14 and 21.

Young people catching and spreading the virus is a continuing concern here and around the country. The median age in Minnesota for confirmed cases is 39.6 now, which continues the downward trend. The median as a week ago was 40.3 while a month ago it was 42, according to Ehresmann.

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Other takeaways:

• Malcolm again reminded the public that the data on mask usage continues to show it is important in preventing the spread of the disease.
• The model used to help predict the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota and trends that may occur has not been updated since mid-May. Malcolm said that they are adjusting the model in mid-July and another model is expected to be run following that adjustment.
• ICU cases are predominantly men in Minnesota, however, deaths have been relatively even. MDH is looking into what may be causing that differential.