Minnesota reports 1,598 new COVID-19 cases, 43 deaths Thursday

(FOX 9) - Minnesota health officials reported 1,598 new cases of COVID-19 and 43 additional deaths Thursday.

There have now been 4419,935 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Minnesota since the first infection was reported in the state in March, according to the latest Minnesota Department of Health data. More than 95% of the state’s cases have recovered to the point they no longer require isolation.

U of M study re-examines racial disparities in COVID-19 pandemic

In a new study, researchers from the University of Minnesota found COVID-19 is impacting people of color even more than reports suggest just by looking at excess mortality rates.

The 1,598 newly reported cases were on volume of 36,678 tests—a positivity rate of 4.4%. Minnesota 7-day moving average positivity rate is 4.9%.

Minnesota has averaged 1,725 new COVID-19 cases a day over the last week.

Minnesota scrambles as feds shift vaccine strategy

Federal officials shifted the nation’s vaccine strategy on Tuesday, eight days before President-Elect Joe Biden is to take office, saying states should begin vaccinating older adults over 65 and those with documented pre-existing conditions.  

Twenty-three of the 43 deaths reported on Thursday were in the Twin Cities metro, while the rest were in Greater Minnesota.

Twenty-three of the people who died were residents in long-term care or assisted living facilities and two lived in group homes or residential behavioral health facilities. To date, over 71% of the state’s deaths have been in long-term care or assisted living facilities.

Four of the deaths were people in their 50s while the rest were people 60 years old or older.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are continuing their downward trend in Minnesota after peaking at 1,865 on Nov. 29. There are currently 645 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Minnesota, 131 of whom are in the ICU.

Coronavirus in Minnesota