(KNSI) – New COVID-19 cases are increasing around the U.S. and Minnesota, and though state health leaders say the state’s current cases, test positivity rate and hospitalizations are still below their caution threshold, they say the more transmissible delta variant is concerning for those who are not — or cannot be — vaccinated against COVID-19. In the Minnesota Department of Health’s first media briefing call in several weeks, Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the state is seeing a pattern similar to what the rest of the country is experiencing: an increase in new cases and hospitalizations, especially among people who are not vaccinated.