Minnesota virus positivity rate reaches 15.6% in new record | Minnesota News

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – MinnesotaThe COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, indicating the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state.

State health officials have said they expect a further increase in the growth of cases for at least the next month. The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota’s previous record high positivity rate came at the start of the pandemic in April 2020, when testing capacity was much more limited.

Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told a press conference on Friday that the increased use of home antigen testing – which is not reported to the Department of Health – has made the number of daily cases less relevant to determine the full picture of the growth of cases. The volume of daily cases entering the health department has also been difficult for staff to track, she said.

“Minnesota people should know that the omicron push has most certainly reached Minnesota and is frankly circulating like wildfire across the country simultaneously and in our communities around Minnesota,” Malcolm told reporters.

More than 7,800 new infections were reported on Friday and nearly 1,200 Minnesota residents were hospitalized with COVID-19, including 269 in intensive care on Thursday. The omicron variant – which spreads more easily than other strains of coronavirus – now accounts for about 90% of all COVID-19 cases statewide. Omicron also infects more easily those who have been vaccinated or who have already been infected with previous versions of the virus.

To meet demand for testing, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz on Friday announced the expansion of two existing community testing sites in Inver Grove Heights and Stillwater. The announcement comes after the opening of a new site at the National Guard armory in Anoka on Friday and a 50% increase in testing capacity at a site in downtown St. Paul.

Early studies show that omicron is less likely to cause serious illness than the previous delta variant, and vaccination and a booster still offer strong protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

But Malcolm said milder symptoms can cause people to be more casual about mitigation efforts. This could result in a higher number of cases overall and a higher likelihood of exposure for vulnerable communities, putting more strain on hospitals.

The Minnesota Hospital Association, in a statement, urged people to seek tests in places other than hospital emergency rooms due to the high number of patients statewide. Emergency departments, intensive care and surgical units are full, increasing wait times for medical emergencies and leading to canceled surgeries.

“We have no more words to describe what we are going through – a crisis is not even approaching; the hospitals are literally full, “the association said.” We urgently need the public’s help to keep our emergency services available for medical emergencies. Please do not go to emergency departments or emergency care centers for a COVID-19 test. “

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