COVID-19 back above Minnesota's high-risk threshold

Coronavirus infections have risen back above Minnesota's high-risk threshold, but health officials hope immunity levels will limit the number of cases that result in hospitalization or death.

Minnesota for the first time in two months has identified more than 1,000 infections in a day, despite the rising popularity of at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that aren't included in state tallies. The 1,003 infections among samples collected April 13 drove Minnesota's COVID-19 case rate to 12 per 100,000 residents, above the threshold of 10 indicating substantial viral spread.

Even with the increase, Minnesota's case rate remains far below the peak of 246 per 100,000 residents in the week ending Jan. 11. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also considers all Minnesota counties at low COVID-19 risk, meaning none have recommendations for broad, public indoor mask-wearing to reduce viral transmission.

People are eager to move on from the pandemic, but the trends suggest they should still take precautions such as staying up to date with vaccinations and wearing masks on public transportation — whether mandated or not, said Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, an infectious disease specialist with the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

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A BA.2 coronavirus subvariant remains responsible for the small but steady increase in COVID-19 activity in Minnesota this month. BA.2 was found in 84% of positive COVID-19 specimens that were analyzed through genomic sequencing in the week ending April 9, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The rate a week earlier was 61%.

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https://www.startribune.com/covid-19-back-above-minnesotas-high-risk-threshold/600166777/

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We stopped at COSTCO, were the only ones with masks. Not even the greeters, checkers, not the ones at the pharmacy desk did.