Some Minnesota bars and restaurants began reopening at half capacity on Monday, eager to get back in business under loosening restrictions even as a new coronavirus variant moves into the state.
Gov. Tim Walz proposed to legislative leaders Thursday that they write into law some of the key emergency measures that he has imposed to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, a move that would give lawmakers more of a say in shaping the state's response.
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Bars, restaurants and other venues will reopen with restrictions on Monday amid continued declines in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Minnesota.
Gov. Tim Walz announced the dial-back in the state s pandemic response on Wednesday, noting that Minnesota s COVID-19 case rate has fallen below pre-surge levels and that bars and restaurants can operate at minimal risk if customers comply with rules that prevent viral transmission. The way we help them out is, let s not let the virus surge again. … By wearing a mask and social distancing, that keeps your local bar and restaurant open. It keeps your school open. It keeps your hospital capacity under critical levels, the governor said.
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More than 84,000 people as of Tuesday morning had received first shots of COVID-19 vaccine in Minnesota, where extra doses in vials have stretched the limited initial supply.
HealthPartners reported squeezing six doses out of almost all five-dose vials of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, meaning that its initial allotment of 10,000 doses by week s end could provide as many as 12,000 shots for doctors, nurses and other providers. It s possible we will have a larger number of vaccinations than what our allocation would otherwise be on paper, said Dr. Mark Sannes, who is leading the COVID-19 response for the Bloomington-based health care system. Our goal is to give all that we get.
Deaths fell below 300 for the week as other measures also show improvement. Written By: John Molseed | ×
ST. PAUL Data tracking the spread of COVID-19 across Minnesota continues to trend downward.
The Minnesota Department of Health on Sunday, Jan. 3, reported another 53 deaths and 2,714 new cases of the coronavirus. The report includes Friday and Saturday numbers because of the New Year s holiday.
The new cases come at a volume of more than 96,000 tests, for a positivity rate of about 2.8%. The statewide positivity rate has dropped from a high of 15.5% in mid-November to 5.1% as of Dec. 22.
The hospitalization rate and new cases per 100,000 people have also trended downward. However, community exposure, defined as cases that aren’t traced to other known cases or outbreaks, remains high, at 36%.