COVID-19 hospitalizations surge above 1,500 in Minnesota

COVID-19 hospitalizations rose above 1,500 on Monday in Minnesota, bringing the state closer to its pandemic record of 1,864 hospitalizations on the same date in 2020. Hospitals have responded by delaying some non-emergency surgeries and reducing non-COVID admissions. Total hospitalizations reached 8,220 on Nov. 17 but declined over the Thanksgiving holiday week and dropped to 7,598 Monday.

Hospital leaders said declines in hospitalizations could be temporary, though, and urged Minnesotans to reduce their risks by seeking vaccinations and taking other protective measures. "This is largely driven by hospitalizations in unvaccinated persons, by a two-to-one clip," said Dr. Mark Sannes, an infectious disease specialist leading the COVID-19 response for Bloomington-based HealthPartners. "Of that group that is vaccinated that is getting hospitalized, it's largely the elderly and those with other compromising conditions."

Minnesota ranks 22nd among the states with 73.3% of people 5 and older receiving a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but that leaves more than 1.4 million eligible people unvaccinated. Minnesota had the highest rate of infections and the eighth-highest rate of COVID-19 deaths over the past seven days among states, according to the CDC's COVID-19 data tracker. Minnesota's COVID-19 death rate is 11th lowest since the start of the pandemic, though.

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Health care workers represented by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota said Tuesday that the pandemic has exacerbated long-standing pressures in hospitals, driving workers out of the profession and making the bed shortage worse. Supportive care such as helping patients get to the bathroom and shower is being neglected because patient numbers exceed staff availability, said Emilee Greskowiak, a nursing assistant at United Hospital in St. Paul.

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https://www.startribune.com/covid-19-hospitalizations-surge-above-1500-in-minnesota/600122258/