According to the Minnesota Department of Health, COVID-19 cases are on the rise, along with new variants.
The Minnesota Department of Health says hospitalization data shows an increase in COVID-19 cases in the state. The variants currently circulating are KP.2 and KP.3, which have been around for several months and are not particularly new.
Dr. Keely Morris, a senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health, said variants are on the rise, adding, “These variants are similar to other variants that we’ve been dealing with. They’re a little bit better at evading existing immunity from vaccination against existing COVID-19 infection.”
MDH can’t track COVID case numbers because many people are testing at home or forgoing testing altogether when they get sick. But they can track COVID activity through hospitalizations. “Hospitalizations are increasing across the state. Overall, this is a little lower than what we had in the winter months, for example,” MDH said.
“We certainly see lower hospitalizations in northeast Minnesota than other parts of the state. COVID-19 doesn’t respect geographic boundaries very well, so we expect to see increased hospitalizations across Minnesota over the next week as a result of these variants.”
High-risk groups, such as people 65 and older, those who are immunocompromised or chronically ill, pregnant people, and residents of long-term care facilities, are encouraged to stay up to date on booster vaccination recommendations. Risk groups may need to receive booster vaccinations more frequently than the standard once a year for everyone else.
Just 14% of Minnesotans have received their latest booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine, and in the north that number is even lower at about 11%.
In situations where you may be exposed to COVID-19, it is wise to wear a mask and wash your hands. People with weakened immune systems should receive antiviral treatment if they become infected.
