COVID In Minnesota: Just Over 60% Of Minnesotans 16+ Are Fully Vaccinated
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota's COVID-19 vaccination effort is slowing pushing forward.
The latest figures from state health officials show that just more than 60% of Minnesotans 16 and older have completed their vaccine series. The state is aiming to hit the 70% threshold by next month.
Meanwhile, trends for new cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to decline from a surge in early April. As of last week, the seven-day average positivity rate was at 2.3%, the lowest it's been since the start of the pandemic more than a year ago.
On Tuesday, health officials reported 125 new cases of the virus and two more deaths. In the last 24 hours, nearly 7,000 tests were processed, suggesting a daily positivity rate of 1.7%.
Since the start of the pandemic, Minnesota has tallied more than 600,000 total infections and 7,469 deaths. Some 32,000 Minnesotans have been hospitalized with the virus, with more than 6,500 patients requiring intensive care.
Last week, the Twin Cities took another step toward normalcy, as both Minneapolis and St. Paul ended their citywide indoor mask mandates.
Minnesota's statewide mask mandate was lifted in the middle of last month following new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that said vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most indoor situations.
Since the start of the state's vaccine push late last year, more than 5.4 million shots have been administered. Nearly three-million Minnesotans, from ages 12 and up, have received at least one vaccine shot.
