(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Health has been tracking breakthrough cases and says data showed vaccines are the best protection against the pandemic. MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm spoke to reporters during a conference call on Wednesday.
“Minnesota data shows that if you are not fully vaccinated, you are 15 times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are fully vaccinated. And those not fully vaccinated are 30 times more likely to die as a result of COVID-19.”
She says the vaccine also lessens the effect of the coronavirus. Malcolm says rural areas with lower vaccination rates are where COVID-19 continues to spread.
“The current wave of COVID infections is concentrated heavily among people who are not fully vaccinated. And it shows that the infection risk is there for all age groups, not just older Minnesotans. The vast majority of cases of hospitalizations and deaths in Minnesota are in those who are not fully vaccinated.”
She says that doesn’t mean vaccinations are perfect or always effective.
“COVID-19 vaccines are incredibly effective. However, a small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated will still get COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus that causes it. This is normal with any vaccine.”
MDH data shows 45,827 breakthrough COVID-19 cases have been reported in Minnesota. Of those, 2,178 required hospitalization and 263 people have died. Since the start of the pandemic, 765,761 positive COVID-19 tests have been recorded in Minnesota, with 8,489 deaths. The age group with the most confirmed coronavirus cases are 20 to 24-year-olds with 69,598. The age group with the most deaths is 85 to 89-year-olds with 1,471. There have been 156,752 reported cases in children under the age of 19, with three reported deaths.
MDH officials say 73.3% of people age 12 and older have received at least one vaccine dose.
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