Minnesota Hits Two Vaccination Goals Tuesday, But It Also Adds 1,200+ New Cases

(KNSI) – Tuesday is a key day for Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccination effort with a major eligibility expansion and a record-setting weekend for vaccine administration.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Tuesday that more than 70,000 vaccine doses were injected into arms on Saturday and Sunday, the two highest days on record for the state. After the weekend effort, the Minnesota Department of Health reports that 1 million Minnesotans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Each person vaccinated moves us one step closer to getting back to normal,” Walz said. “One million Minnesotans completing the vaccine process is a remarkable milestone on the day all Minnesotans age 16 and older can get in line. Now, we’re ready to make sure everyone can get the relief from a life-saving shot so we can get back to all the things and people we’ve missed, and end this pandemic together.”

The latest data shows that 1,637,718 Minnesota residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. They represent 29.4 percent of the state’s total population and 37.1 percent of Minnesota’s 16-and-older population. More than 80 percent of people age 65 and older are now vaccinated.

MDH also reports 1,278 new cases of COVID-19 and one death from the disease on Tuesday. Around St. Cloud, Benton County adds 22 new cases, Morrison County 5, Sherburne County 33, Stearns County 34 and Wright County 42.

The state processed 15,167 tests on Monday, and 8.4 percent came back positive. That’s the highest one-day positivity rate in weeks, well above the 5-percent threshold that state health leaders say is a measure for significant community spread of the virus. However, fewer tests are processed at the start of each week, so lower test volumes often show a higher positivity rate.

Right now, 357 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 around the state, including 89 patients who are receiving intensive care.

___