MDH COVID-19 briefing: Hospital admissions remain high in Minnesota; vaccine plan a ‘very significant development’
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On Wednesday, Minnesota Department of Health officials addressed the current COVID-19 situation in the state.
MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm and Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Kris Ehresmann took part in the call, discussing the latest COVID-19 data and more information on the vaccine process and distribution.
Latest COVID-19 data
Malcolm highlighted that hospital admissions remain high in Minnesota, with an average of over 30 weekly admissions per 100,000 people. Intensive Care Unit levels also remain at its highest level seen during the pandemic. Over 4,100 Minnesotans have died from COVID-19, Malcolm said.
The rate of case growth is higher than it was a month ago. The commissioner said health officials’ biggest concern is the seven-day positivity rolling average, which remains around 13%. Down from over 15% a few weeks ago, Malcolm noted that MDH was glad to see the metric drop below 12% briefly.
A nurse holds a phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020.[Frank Augstein/Associated Press]
The commissioner continues to encourage everyone to get tested if they need to, as easy availability of testing continues to be a good thing, according to Malcolm.
COVID-19 in Minnesota: 4,539 new cases, 82 deaths reported
Vaccines
The commissioner again expressed the safety surrounding the vaccine development and distribution, saying this is a "very significant development."
"Very eager to get to the other side of this pandemic," she said, adding the vaccine coming is the tool to get us there.
Malcolm said the vaccine is not mandated, but MDH’s goal is to provide "good, solid facts" about getting vaccinated. It will take time to distribute the vaccine, and Minnesotans will need to be patient as that process happens. The commissioner used an analogy that some people have found useful, saying fighting the pandemic with a vaccine is like using a fire hose on a fire.
"We won’t be able to put the fire out without the fire hose. We have to do what we can to keep the fire from getting out of control," Malcolm said.
The cost for the vaccine will be covered by the federal government. Malcolm said the federal government is buying the vaccine and will be distributing it to MDH. Those that will be getting vaccinations are able under the law to charge for a clinic visit or administration fee for the vaccine, which can be reimbursed through insurance or the vaccine provider can file for reimbursement. Insurance information will likely be asked of the individuals who want to get a vaccine.
Malcolm noted that MDH is only focused on phase one of the vaccine distribution at this time, which will be focused on health care workers and people living in long-term care settings.
Ehresmann discussed how those who obtain a vaccine will be given a medical card as documentation that the individual received it. The card is not to be used as a means to gain access to anything. She noted there is a plan to have people schedule their second dose, but there is no initial plan to call people to remind them of their second dose of the vaccine.
For more information on the vaccine distribution plan, Ehresmann says Minnesotans should visit MDH’s website.
Other things to know:
- As Thursday marks two weeks removed from Thanksgiving, Malcolm says the data from that time is expected to show up this week but recognizes that it could show up later. She hopes the increase MDH has expected was moderated. As of recent days, Malcolm notes it’s a "fairly stable picture." Ehresmann says next week should have definite results.
- Recent reports from the United Kingdom’s vaccine distribution has resulted in some allergic reactions. Ehresmann said most of the post-vaccine reactions were "mild," but it’s good to be aware that while vaccines have very strong safety profiles, there is always a potential with any vaccine that someone could have an allergic reaction. MDH will be awaiting guidance on everything from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).