All Itasca area residents and visitors age 12 and older may access COVID-19 vaccines at medical facilities, pharmacies and special events throughout the county. For those who would like to
After many weeks of unusually high rates of COVID infection, Itasca County is moving closer to the rest of Minnesota and the region. Still, the virus continues to take a
After weeks as Minnesotaâs top COVID-spreading county, Itasca is seeing significant improvements as vaccination rates rise.
Four variants of the virus causing COVID-19 have been identified in Itasca County since January, contributing to an explosion of cases between February and May. Last week, the 14-day rate of infection for every 10,000 Itasca residents was 73.8. This week, the rate is 55.4 percent. Between May 12 and 18, 102 new cases were identified in the community compared to 151 the previous week.
Itasca County saw another death due to COVID this week, a woman in her 90s.
âFor those who have been vaccinated, the news in our country, state and county is very good,â said Kelly Chandler, Itasca County Public Health division manager. âThe vaccines work and community-wide immunity is on the horizon. But for those who are not yet vaccinated, the risks right now are still very real. Itasca County is not at a place of community (herd) immunityâ
Itasca County saw hopeful signs this week after three months of climbing rates of COVID-19 spread and last weekâs news of the Brazil variant being found in the county.
While still very high, Itasca Countyâs 14-day average per 10,000 residents dropped from the mid-80s last week to 73.8 this week (compared to a low of 14 in February). During the past seven days, 120 Itasca County residents tested positive for COVID and 200 did the week before.Â
Itasca County saw two additional COVID-related deaths this week, a man in his 80s and a woman in her 60s.
âItasca Countyâs cases are moving in a better direction than in past months, but the deaths of two residents this week are grim reminders of how serious COVID remains, especially for those vulnerable and unvaccinated. Our hearts are with those who have suffered through loss and grief during the pandemic,â said Kelly Chandler, Itasca County Public Health division manager.
Itasca County was alerted on Wednesday, May 5 that a fourth variant of the virus that causes COVID is active in the county. The P.1 variant, originating in Brazil, was identified through genetic sequencing of an Itasca County COVID sample.Â
Itasca County is the only county in Northeast Minnesota discovered to have all four of the most common variants of the SARS virus, likely contributing to higher spread here, especially among children and young adults. Since March 26, Itasca County has seen the emergence of the B.1.1.7 (UK), B.1.427/429 (California), B.1.526 (New York) and P.1 (Brazilian) strains. State surveillance laboratories collect random samples from positive COVID cases throughout the state for testing. Â