COVID-19 hospitalizations surpass 1,500 in Minnesota

(FOX 9) - More than 1,500 people are now hospitalized from COVID-19 in Minnesota, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Health.

According to the state, 1,532 people are now in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms - a high not seen since early December. Last November is when Minnesota saw its hospitalization peak, with more than 1,800 hospitalized due to COVID-19.

The spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations - in combination with staffing shortages - have created a crisis for hospitals, forcing the state to bring in military members to help shore up staff at hospitals in the metro.

At the same time, the state crossed another threshold this weekend: More than 1 million Minnesotans have received their booster shots That accounts for about 33 percent of fully-vaccinated in Minnesota.

RELATED: Minnesota expanding access to monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19

Positivity rate falls

While hospitalizations continue to rise, the seven-day positivity rate for COVID-19 tests is down to 9.4 percent, which marks the second straight week it has fallen modestly. However, it remains well in the range for concern, above the 5 percent threshold.

While the holiday last week has impacted case reporting numbers, COVID-19 case growth has flattened statewide since late October.

Minnesota health care providers, facing staffing squeeze, turn to soldiers for help

Minnesota's health care workforce is stretched so thin during one of the country's worst COVID-19 surges that the state is increasingly turning to the military for help.

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