Vaccine booster, COVID-19 levels remain low in Minnesota

Oct 21, 20220

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune count

Maxine Bogan gave Jean Butala of Bloomington her second booster shot at the Mall of America in March. New, variant-specific boosters have been recommended since that time for people 5 and older.

COVID-19 is still a global pandemic, but it is behaving like a stable endemic in Minnesota, where infections have declined slightly and hospitalizations and deaths remain constant.

Thursday's state COVID-19 update showed less than 800 infections per day in mid-October, compared to 1,400 per day in mid-August. Sampling at wastewater treatment plants showed declining viral levels in sewage in most regions as well, indicating the decline in infections is real and not just the result of less testing.

COVID-19 hasn't surged this month like it did in October the last two years, when a sharp increase in infections consumed hospital capacity by winter. Hospitals showed little sign of pressure this month: Minnesota has averaged 439 COVID-19 hospitalizations since June, and Tuesday's total was 438. The latest total included 52 patients requiring intensive care, though, up from 28 on Oct. 12.

https://www.startribune.com/vaccine-booster-covid-19-levels-remain-low-in-minnesota/600217442/