More signs emerge of peak in Minnesota's latest COVID-19 wave

Breakthrough data from Minnesota and other states show that the COVID-19 vaccine is less protective but still helpful against the latest pandemic threat

Jun 01, 20220

Minnesota's latest COVID-19 data show more evidence of a peak in the state's spring wave, and that vaccines helped blunt its severity even if they were less protective than earlier in the pandemic.

The state on Tuesday reported another 2,188 infections, but the seven-day average of new infections peaked on May 11 and has declined steadily. The 419 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota on Friday were an increase from earlier in the week but still lower than the recent high of 441 on May 19 - with only 8% of patients needing intensive care. As many as 30% of COVID-19 hospitalizations involved intensive care during peaks last year.

The daily number is a significant undercount - excluding the results of at-home testing - but it is clear that immunity as a result of vaccinations and recent infections has reduced the number of COVID-19 cases that produce severe illness, said Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.

https://www.startribune.com/more-signs-emerge-of-peak-in-minnesotas-latest-covid-19-wave/600177983/