By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
For more information, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with epidemiologist Michael Osterholm from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
The Food and Drug Administration approved new shots from Pfizer and Moderna on Thursday, and the companies are set to begin shipping millions of doses. The shots are cleared for adults and children as young as 6 months, and health authorities hope far more Americans get them this year.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to give the green light to new COVID-19 vaccines this week to protect against recent variants of the coronavirus.
Despite high vaccination rates early on in the pandemic, tribal communities have fallen behind. Many tribal nations and health care providers have shifted their focus away from COVID-19 to preventative services and treating chronic conditions.
In the week ending Aug. 3, 218 Minnesotans were admitted to hospitals throughout the state with COVID-19, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s most recent data. This is the eighth consecutive week of increasing COVID hospitalizations, starting from a low point of 58 admissions in the first week of June.
Minnesota Department of Health experts still don’t have enough data to find a clear pattern or trend for the virus. Senior epidemiologist Keeley Morris said Minnesota does tend to experience a “summer increase” and that it appeared that the number of cases happened earlier this season.
Over 150 people were admitted to hospitals throughout the state with COVID-19 during the week ending July 6. Preliminary data for the week ending July 13 already shows 155 COVID-19 admissions, which is five consecutive weeks of increases.
About 20 Minnesotans per day are now being admitted to the state’s hospitals with COVID-19 — more than twice the daily average just one month ago — and wastewater measurements show a weekly increase of 46 percent in COVID-19 levels.
Vice President Harris is at the forefront of the Biden campaign’s efforts to counter-program the Republican convention today, with President Biden isolating at home for COVID-19.