Vaccine Efforts Are Working, But Community Spread Still A Concern

At this stage in the pandemic in Minnesota, over 4 million vaccine shots have been administered, more than half of the state’s population has received at least one vaccine dose, and the positivity rate is dropping again.

These positive trends do not negate the fact that there have now been over 7,100 deaths linked to COVID-19 in Minnesota and many still in the hospital being treated for the virus — nearly 180 patients in the ICU as of late April. Community spread is also a big concern with about 43% of reported cases coming from unknown exposure sources

So, a lot of work still needs to be done, which is why state officials are urging more vaccinations and continuing efforts for improving access to the vaccine.

Getting vaccines directly to communities via mobile vaccination units has been a recent development. Here’s Gov. Tim Walz at a recent press conference in Richfield.

“People aren’t hesitant to get the vaccine if they’re just really busy, or don’t have time, or a computer..this is making it as easy as possible for literally people to walk across their apartments and get the vaccine,” he said.

Walz says the goal is to get at least 70 to 80 percent of Minnesotans fully vaccinated and that could happen as soon as late May. Right now about 41% of eligible Minnesotans have completed their vaccine series and are fully vaccinated.

Getting vaccines and resources to diverse communities continues. COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, are supplying vaccine information and other resources, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic.