Daily vaccinations in Minnesota. (Theo Keith/FOX 9)
(FOX 9) - A total of 210,574 Minnesotans got a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in the most recent week (March 25-31), marking the first time that number has topped 200,000 in a week. The Minnesota Department of Health data lags by a few days.
On this pace, 80% of adults in Minnesota would have at least one dose by Memorial Day and a complete vaccination by July 4.
MDH reports over 1.7 million Minnesotans now have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and nearly 1.1 million are fully vaccinated, which is about 39% and 25% of the state’s population respectively.
Nearly 82% of Minnesota seniors have at least one dose of the vaccine.
Anyone 16 years old and older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Johnson and Johnson vaccine mix up will not impact Minnesota and how long term care residents can see family for Easter
The Minnesota Department of Health says a mix up that led to the spoiling of millions of vaccine doses will not impact the state's supply. Plus, Minnesota long-term care residents can go see family and friends for Easter and other holidays after an update from MDH.
Meanwhile, state health officials reported 2,553 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths on Friday.
Minnesota has now seen 524,203 COVID-19 cases and 6,864 deaths from the disease since the start of the pandemic.
The 2,553 newly reported cases were out of 50,517 tests—a 5.1% positivity rate. The seven-day rolling average positivity rate, a lagging indicator, has increased to 5.5%. Anything over 5% is a concern for MDH.
Variants appear to be driving the increase in COVID-19 infections in Minnesota. State medical director Ruth Lynfield said Thursday 54-66% of the state’s positive cases over a six-day period in late March were B117 variant cases.
Two of the four deaths reported on Friday were in long-term care facilities.
Hospitalizations are continuing to increase week-over-week. There are currently 439 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Minnesota, with 112 of them in the ICU, compared to 357 hospitalizations and 87 ICU cases at this time last week.
GET YOUR SHOT: Tips for finding a COVID-19 vaccine appointment