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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.
(Fargo, ND) As COVID-19 remains prevalent in our communities, Essentia Health continues to offer a treatment for people diagnosed with mild to moderate cases of the virus who are at high risk for severe complications and hospitalization.
It’s called monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins, which mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens found in viruses. The first monoclonal antibody to receive emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was bamlanivimab in November 2020. Since that time, other monoclonal antibody treatments have also been authorized for use.
Data from 4,600 patients in Minnesota showed that bamlanivimab lowered hospitalization rates to 2.3%, compared to 10-15% for those who didn’t undergo the treatment. Preliminary data also showed as much as a 70% reduction in both hospitalizations and death in treated patients.
To date, half of Itasca County area residents age 16 and older have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccines have been shown they are preventing serious illness and death among residents. They are available at no cost at most area hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. Â
A special Moderna vaccination clinic for those 18 and older will be held Saturday, April 24 at the IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, although appointments are encouraged. Call 218-327-6784 for assistance with registration or questions. Online registrations may be done through a link at the county’s website: https://www.co.itasca.mn.us.