Minnesota Native News: COVID-19 Daily Update

Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update. With the end of May in sight, over 2.5 million Minnesotans are fully vaccinated from COVID-19. It’s one of many positive signs being observed at this stage in the pandemic, but there’s still work to do.  Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz marked the milestone recently, saying he is deeply grateful for those 2.5 million Minneostans who completed their vaccine series.  It means over 53% of the state’s eligible population, including 12 to 15 year olds, have completed their vaccine series.  Along with the announcement, the governor also touted a New York Times analysis that found new cases of the virus in Minnesota have dropped nearly 50% from May 10 through May 24, which is faster than all but six other states in that timeframe.  The state’s positivity rate and hospitalizations also continue to steadily decline.  While there’s been strong progress, Gov. Walz and health experts say more people need to be vaccinated. So, the state is making it easier and easier, with more vaccines being provided before sports events, and there are six retrofitted mobile vaccination buses bringing doses directly to communities. Plus, all the state’s community vaccination sites are offering walk-in appointments.  Those who want to search by vaccine type can go to Vaccines.gov.  I’m Cole Premo. Quickly before I go, this is the last scheduled COVID-19 daily update for now and I just wanted to say it’s been a pleasure and privilege providing information to you, and Minnesota’s communities.  Make sure to check out more of my content, and the work of many other talented people, at Minnesota Native News at MNnativenews.org.  Stay safe and be well! 

Minnesota’s mask mandate has been lifted. The CDC says it’s safe for fully-vaccinated people to go maskless indoors and outdoors.But the COVID-19 virus is still thriving and spreading. That’s why health officials say it’s so vital for non-vaccinated adults to get vaccinated. And for parents to get their eligible children vaccinated.Why? Because the virus always seeks out those who are most vulnerable to infection in any space. That’s how it moves person to person and survives. The Pfizer COVID vaccine has been approved for children ages 12 to 15. Already more than 7 million people under 17 have been vaccinated in the United States.Vaccinating kids is important for getting them back to school safely. Most children who get infected with COVID develop no symptoms or only mild symptoms. But they also run a potential risk of becoming seriously ill.With more and more adults getting vaccinated, health experts worry that children might soon become the main group for the virus infection and transmission.Minnesota health providers are currently vaccinating 12 – to 15-year olds. It’s recommended you call ahead to make sure the Pfizer vaccine is available.

With many expected to travel over the summer, the Minnesota Department of Health has guidelines for making a safe summer plan during the pandemic.  MDH says the COVID-19 virus is still circulating in the United States and across the world, so there are still many things that need to be considered before traveling.  According to MDH, fully vaccinated people, if they travel in the United States, do not need to get tested before and after travel, nor do they need to self-quarantine. You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the final dose of the vaccine.  Those who are not vaccinated and travel out of state, they are advised to get tested three to five days after traveling and to stay home and quarantine for a full seven days after travel. MDH is encouraging potential travelers to think of ways to do small getaways locally.  Those who want to get away on a summer road trip are advised to make sure everyone who can be fully vaccinated is before taking off.  Another reminder is to be up to date on other routine vaccinations, like measles, since other diseases are still around.  For international travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends delaying this type of travel unless you are fully vaccinated. The CDC says travel of this kind can introduce variants to the state that can then spread in its communities.  Those who travel internationally and are fully vaccinated are still recommended to test three to five days after travel. Those who are not fully vaccinated are advised to get tested one to three days before the trip, and understand all airline and destination requirements which may differ from United States’ requirements.  For more information on that, and other travel recommendations, check the CDC’s website. 

The state of Minnesota is partnering with private health plans in an effort to give more Minnesotans the opportunity to get vaccinated.  According to state officials, the departments of health and human services are working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Itasca Medical Care, Medica, PreferredOne, PrimeWest Health, South Country Health Alliance, and UCare. The health plans will be working with the state to contact members and provide them with information on vaccination and help in scheduling appointments for vaccination. There will also be help with transportation and other services.  The partnership is being called an effort to address equity in vaccinations, as communities of color are believed to be hardest hit by the virus, but have less access to the vaccine.  Those who are enrolled in Minnesota health care programs, like Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care, should expect to have someone reach out to them. The effort will also focus on those who live in the most socially-vulnerable ZIP codes.  Meanwhile, the state’s latest positivity and hospitalization rate have been decreasing, but community spread remains a concern.  Nearly 5 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state. Nearly 90 percent of those ages 65 and up have received at least one vaccine dose; 62% of those 16 and up have also received at least one dose.  The state is still strongly encouraging those who haven’t been vaccinated, and are eligible, to get a vaccine to not only protect themselves, but their community. 

Over 60 percent of Minnesotans 16 and older have been vaccinated for COVID-16.Minnesota ranks in the top ten by state for percentage of COVID vaccines administered.Governor Tim Walz has credited Tribal communities within Minnesota for setting the pace and for showing how to get vaccines to those who need them most.These sovereign nations have been so effective because they focused vaccination efforts on elders and multi-generational households for native and non-native residents within their lands. Tribal leaders also made getting shots easier, bringing the vaccine to those who might have barriers to accessing it.President Joe Biden too wants to make vaccinations more convenient. One way is through the government website VACCINES dot GOV. There you can input your zip code to find vaccines near you. You can designate how far you’re willing to travel, one to 25 miles. And you can limit results by selecting a preferred vaccine: Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.The search results offer a list of available providers by distance and whether vaccines are in or out of stock. By clicking the provider, you can check availability and make an appointment.A map, directions, phone number and link to the provider’s website are also given. Beginning May 24, Uber and Lyft will be offering free round-trip rides to vaccination clinics. This is part of a federal effort to get at least one dose into at least 70 percent of Americans by July 4.

Script: Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update.  In an effort to help Minnesota’s students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz says he will be leveraging federal funds to provide academic enrichment and mental health support over the summer.   According to Walz, he is funding summer learning opportunities by allocating $75 million of the flexible State Fiscal Stabilization Funds in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.  Walz and Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan announced the funds for academic and mental health support at Otter Lake Elementary School in White Bear Lake.   19:59 WALZ: “All of these were requested from school leaders. They were asking to get this out there for our kids. We’d have liked to have seen it come out earlier.   24:00 FLANAGAN: We worked together to get to this point. We have the shared value of getting our kids what they need. Are able to prevent some of the summer slide and to catch up.”  The funding is going to academic and mental health support, preschools for 4 and 5 year olds, school-linked mental health grants, expanded access to tutoring, increased adult basic education program funding and learning acceleration and college readiness initiatives.   I’m Cole Premo.

The COVID pandemic is by no means over. Yet the CDC is saying that it’s okay for fully vaccinated people to go without masks and social distancing indoors and outdoors—in most circumstances.Minnesota has also lifted its mask mandate, but has left it up to cities and businesses to make their own determination.What prompted the sudden turnaround?Two things. First, fully-vaccinated people rarely become infected and, even less likely, rarely transmit the virus. Second, currently available vaccines appear to be effective against variants.Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are 94 percent effective in preventing COVID-related illness, hospitalization or death. Even those who’ve only gotten their first shot gain a huge benefit, with an 82-percent effectiveness against variants.Because the Johnson & Johnson vaccine became available later, there are fewer studies available. Health experts are still gathering data on how well it prevents infection and transmission.Some retailers are already revising COVID safety guidelines. Walmart, Costco and Starbucks have announced mask-free shopping for fully-vaccinated customers, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial regulations.Yet the CDC’s relaxed guidelines do not extend to all spaces. Mask wearing and social distancing are recommended in healthcare settings and on public transportation.

Minnesota’s mask mandate has been lifted, but that doesn’t mean that some top health leaders aren’t worried about the potential impact the decision could have on the vaccination push, as well as more vulnerable communities in the state.   After Gov. Tim Walz announced he’d drop the statewide requirement for masking during the pandemic following updated CDC guidance, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm stepped up to the podium.   10:26 MALCOLM: I have really mixed feelings about this. I certainly agree with the governor that there is good news here.   Malcolm said it’s been found that the vaccine is enormously effective in not only preventing illness and death, but has also been found to prevent asymptomatic illness.. Which means those vaccinated aren’t putting others at risk unknowingly.   11:09 MALCOLM: I think it’s important that people understand what the guidance is. It means people who are fully vaccinated are free to go back to activities we were doing before the pandemic.   However, Malcolm notes that there are still many who are not vaccinated in the state, and that’s concerning. Around 61% of those ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose so far.   MALCOLM: 61% is not nearly enough to keep this virus suppressed, so we continue to advise those who are not vaccinated to take precautions.   Malcolm said that minority populations are not being vaccinated at the rate of their white counterparts, so getting the vaccine to these communities is even more important.   In an effort to address and improve equity in the vaccination push, the state will be partnering with private health plans, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and HealthPartners, to reach Minnesotans enrolled in Minnesota health care programs such as Medical Assistance and Minnesotacare. The effort will also focus on getting doses to people who live in the most socially vulnerable zip codes.  Minnesota’s mask mandate has been lifted, but that doesn’t mean that some top health leaders aren’t worried about the potential impact the decision could have on the vaccination push, as well as more vulnerable communities in the state.   After Gov. Tim Walz announced he’d  drop the statewide requirement for masking during the pandemic following updated CDC guidance, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm stepped up to the podium.   10:26 MALCOLM: I have really mixed feelings about this. I certainly agree with the governor that there is good news here.   Malcolm said it’s been found that the vaccine is enormously effective in not only preventing illness and death, but has also been found to prevent asymptomatic illness.. Which means those vaccinated aren’t putting others at risk unknowingly.   11:09 MALCOLM: I think it’s important that people understand what the guidance is. It means people who are fully vaccinated are free to go back to activities we were doing before the pandemic.   However, Malcolm notes that there are still many who are not vaccinated in the state, and that’s concerning. Around 61% of those ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose so far.   MALCOLM: 61% is not nearly enough to keep this virus suppressed, so we continue to advise those who are not vaccinated to take precautions.   Malcolm said that minority populations are not being vaccinated at the rate of their white counterparts, so getting the vaccine to these communities is even more important.   In an effort to address and improve equity in the vaccination push, the state will be partnering with private health plans, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and HealthPartners, to reach Minnesotans enrolled in Minnesota health care programs such as Medical Assistance and Minnesotacare. The effort will also focus on getting doses to people who live in the most socially vulnerable zip codes.  

Minnesota’s mask mandate is no more. WALZ:”It’s a good day, it’s one more sign of a back to normalcy.”Gov. Tim Walz recently signed the executive order ending the mandate following updated CDC guidance, which said fully vaccinated people can forgo masks in most indoor and outdoor settings.However, masks will still be a very common sight in many businesses and cities. WALZ: “There will be decisions that can be made by local businesses and jurisdictions, especially health care settings, people will continue to mask in some of those settings.”The move comes as vaccinations for those 65 years of age and older is nearing 90%. And over 61% of those 16 years of age and up have received at least one vaccine dose. Health officials would like to see that increase to 70% by the end of June. WALZ: Those of you who are not vaccinated, Now is the perfect time to get vaccinated. You can go without a mask. Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said she had mixed feelings about the end of the mask mandate, with equity gaps for those who have been vaccinated and the fact that there are still people at risk. More on that and attempts to address the equity gaps in a future update. 

Herd immunity. That has been the longed-for goal since the COVID pandemic began. Once we reach herd immunity, we’ll rein in the coronavirus and life can get back to normal.Now, almost half a year into the vaccination rollout, health experts are questioning whether the United States can actually reach herd immunity.Herd immunity is the idea that if you get enough people vaccinated, the virus will have nowhere to go. When you reduce the number of potential hosts, the virus has a harder time jumping person to person. And eventually, the virus dies out or becomes isolated and easily containable.So why do experts now think herd immunity is unlikely? Because of rapidly evolving COVID variants and vaccine hesitancy.The vaccination campaign is a race against the COVID variants. You want to get as many people vaccinated before the virus evolves to a point where the vaccinations lose their effectiveness.Even though half of Americans have received at least one dose, demand for vaccines has dropped recently. Most of those eager to get vaccinated have already done so. That leaves people who are hesitant to get the vaccine and those who are harder to reach through traditional vaccine outlets.This may lead some to think: Why bother getting vaccinated at all?Because vaccinations are crucial to limiting the spread of COVID. With enough vaccinations, the pandemic could transform into a manageable threat. COVID would continue to circulate but with far fewer hospitalizations and deaths.

Minnesotans as young as 12 years old can now roll up their sleeves for a COVID-19 vaccine.  It comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the green light for Pfizer’s vaccine in children 12 to 15 years old. Pfizer's vaccine was previously approved for those ages 16 and up.  The Food and Drug Administration's review of Pfizer's data confirmed the shots were safe and effective in adolescents, and that the side effects were "consistent" with older age groups. In the study, nearly 98% of adolescents were found to have produced enough antibodies in the month after their second dose.  To help reach families who want the shots, President Biden's administration said the CDC is working with state officials to enroll more pediatricians and family doctors as vaccine providers and to make sure Pfizer vaccine supplies are available at local pharmacies.  The CDC says providers may begin vaccinating the age group right away, and called it another important step to exiting the pandemic, and getting closer to normalcy.  In Minnesota, the health department says parents can now make appointments for their kids. As of this recording, Allina Health and Children’s Minnesota have begun administering vaccine doses to this age group. The approval means nearly 300,000 more Minnesotans are eligible for the vaccine.  While cases of COVID-19 are often milder in children, health officials have said vaccinating younger Americans would help avert future surges of cases in the adults around them and could accelerate the lifting of some public health restrictions.  Children younger than 12 could soon get their vaccines, too. Both Pfizer and Moderna are testing the vaccine in children as young as six months old.  I’m Cole Premo.

Health officials say 31 percent of Minnesotans have been living in zip codes with “high vulnerability” scores during the pandemic. These scores take in variables like poverty and access to transportation to determine what challenges an area might face in the event of a disaster like a pandemic.Since COVID arrived in Minnesota, this 31 percent has experience 42 percent of all COVID hospitalizations and 42 percent of all COVID deaths in the state.Communities of color have been among the hardest hit. Vaccine coverage still lags among Black, Hispanic and multiracial communities. Among Minnesota’s American Indian population, close to 40 percent have received at least one vaccine dose. And among the Asian/Pacific Islander population, over 45 percent have.This is compared to the over 50 percent of white Minnesotans.Minnesota wants to close the vaccine gap. So for the next weeks, state health officials will be working with community partners to bring vaccine doses directly to these hard-hit zip codes.They’ll also be targeting poorer and more isolated communities, including homeless encampments, agricultural workplaces and housing sites with limited transportation access through pop-up and mobile vaccination clinics.

Twelve to fifteen year old children will soon be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Minnesota.  The Food and Drug Administration has expanded the emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine into this age group.  A clinical trial involving more than 22-hundred vaccine participants in this age group reportedly found that the vaccine was 100% effective in preventing COVID-19.  Pfizer’s vaccine is already the only vaccine approved for those under 18 years old. It has previously been approved for people who are 16 years and up.  The expansion of eligibility to 12 to 15 year olds will open up vaccinations to nearly 17 million more people nationwide, about 5% of the United States’ overall population.    According to Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota is ready to vaccinate 12 to 15 year olds and is just waiting for federal guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  He said quote “We have been planning and preparing for this moment and are ready to begin vaccinating teens 12 and older. Start making your plan, Minnesota — let’s get our kids their shot as soon as possible so they are fully vaccinated and protected in time for a fun, safe summer.” unquote  As of this recording, the CDC has not yet issued the guidance. But It’s expected to come any day now.  In addition to seeking emergency use authorization for even younger children, Pfizer is also looking to get its vaccine fully approved by the FDA.  A parent or guardian will be required to give consent for anyone younger than 18.  

Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials announced that many of the state’s community vaccination sites are now taking those who don’t have appointments.  Walk-ins for those 16 years of age and older are now accepted at community vaccination sites in Bloomington at the Mall of America, St. Paul at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Lino Lakes and Oakdale. Walk-ins for those 18 and over are being accepted in Mankato, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud. Walz says, since Minnesotans under 18 need to receive consent from a parent or guardian, the state is encouraging parents, guardians and families to walk in and get vaccinated together. The federally-supported State Fairgrounds is not currently accepting walk-in appointments. The increased availability of vaccine appointments comes as the state prepares to end capacity restrictions later this month, and double down on the vaccine push. Here’s Walz in a recent press conference.  2:07 WALZ: Back in March and April of last year, I said our only vaccine was social distancing and mitigation. That’s no longer true. We rank near the top for testing, fewest in cases and fewest in deaths. So, again: Walk-ins for those 16 years of age and older are now accepted at community vaccination sites in Bloomington at the Mall of America, St. Paul at Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Lino Lakes and Oakdale. Walk-ins for those 18 and over are being accepted in Mankato, Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud. Minnesotans can continue to make Community Vaccination Program appointments ahead of time by visiting vaccineconnector.mn.gov. I’m Cole Premo.

Wow. It’s finally easy to get a COVID vaccine shot. After months of waiting for the vaccine to become available, and more months of waiting to become eligible to get the shot, you can now make an appointment and just simply walk in almost anywhere.Fifty-year-olds can get in. Thirty-five-year-olds. Sixteen-year-olds.But when you show up at your appointment, you might be surprised. Where is everyone? Where are the lines?Vaccine hesitancy has set in. Or, you could say, the vaccine supply is catching up to the group of people who are unsure about or don’t want to get a COVID vaccine for various reasons.Two and half millions Minnesotans have already had at least one shot. This adds up to over half of everyone sixteen and older. And a whopping eighty-five percent of seniors sixty-five and older.Demand for vaccinations has gone down. Now health experts are focusing on hard to reach populations, who might have logistical challenges to getting a vaccine, and those with vaccine hesitancy.One way of doing this is through mobile vaccine units, which are visiting areas with lower vaccine coverage. Public health organizations are also disseminating information about the general safety and benefits of vaccination.The great hope is that Minnesota will reach that magic number of 80 percent vaccinated so that herd immunity will kick in and restrictions can be lifted.For MN Native News…. I’m Marie Rock. For more information go online to M-N Native news DOT O-R-GOUTRO/FUNDER: (pre-recorded)Marie: This MN Native News COVID-19 Daily Update is supported by the MN Dept. of Health.

Script: Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update. MinnesotaGov. Tim Walz has unveiled a three-step timeline to end all COVID-19 restrictionsin the state, including the mask mandate. Accordingto Walz, the first step, which was implemented at noon on May 7, will be thefurther loosening of restrictions to places primarily in outdoor settings. Thisincludes removing capacity limits for outdoor dining, events, and otherget-togethers. The mask requirement will also end for outdoors except for largevenues with over 500 people. Themandatory closing time of 11 p.m. will also end for bars and restaurants.  Thesecond phase of the plan is ending capacity and social distancing limits on May28. These include ending the requirement for face coverings indoors and foroutdoor events that exceed 500 people. Thethird phase, ending the mask mandate, will happen when 70% of the state’seligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. That’sexpected by the end of June, so the mandate will end by no later than July 1.  Localgovernments will still be able to set their own mask policies and otherrequirements beyond July 1. Walz says the timeline of ending restrictions comes as the most at-risk Minnesotans— seniors, educators and front-line workers — have received their vaccination.  Walz says additional protections will remain in place, including an evictionmoratorium and a ban on price gouging. As for schools, since those under 16 years old have yet to become eligible forvaccination, the Safe Learning Plan will continue until the end of the schoolyear.

Minnesota health officials say drug overdose deaths increased sharply in the state last year during the pandemic, and that it underscores the need for more resources addressing the issue.   According to the Minnesota Department Of Health, 1,008 people in Minnesota died of an overdose in 2020, that’s up from 792 in 2019 -- a 27% increase.   Health officials say the data shows that overdose numbers began to surge in March, when the pandemic began in Minnesota and the rest of the country.   About half of the overdose deaths in 2020 involved synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl.   Overdoses linked to commonly-prescribed opioids, like oxycodone and morphine, increased in 2020 by 50%, accounting for about 200 deaths. It follows two years of declines.   Increases to non-opioid drug deaths also occurred  Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says the staggering number of drug overdose deaths shows the need to amplify our prevention efforts and strengthen the ability of communities to support people and connect them with services.   Some efforts that are being discussed include increasing access to the overdose-preventing drug naloxone, and helping Minnestoans get the care they need.   For those who are suffering, help is available. The University of Minnesota has a list of resources on their website, called Support for Addiction Recovery during COVID-19.   The Minnesota Department of Health also launched a new podcast series, called “Stories from the Field” that addresses the evolving opioid epidemic.  

With over two million Minnesotans having received at least one vaccine shot, the state continues prioritizing efforts to safeguard essential populations at risk for COVID.Now, the statewide “Roll Up Your Sleeves, Minnesota” vaccine campaign has turned its focus on critical frontline workforce sectors in manufacturing.That initiative kicked off in mid-April with food service workers. Industry leaders and notables, like celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern , have teamed with the state to urge workers to sign up for the state’s Vaccine Connector, which alerts you when vaccine appointments are available near you.A big goal of this push is to overcome vaccine hesitancy. One recent study found that as many as 23 percent of Americans are reluctant to get the vaccine. But to reach herd immunity, health officials hope to vaccinate at least 80 percent of the state’s population.By chipping away at vaccine hesitancy, Minnesota gets closer to herd immunity. And with more food service workers vaccinated, that could speed up the opening of restaurants and bars to full capacity.

The State of Minnesota has officially launched RentHelpMN, an effort to get emergency rental assistance to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging about $375 million in federal assistance, a partnership of several counties and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul will be dispersing the money to renters. This is for those who need help paying rent and utilities to avoid eviction.  Assistance can cover up to 15 months of past rent or utilities beginning March 2020, and three months’ worth of future rent.  Here’s Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan: 6:11 FLANAGAN:”I’m a renter and every month I make my rent payment. And it’s the single, biggest payment I make. If you’ve not been able to keep up with rent and utilities, we have help and we have hope.”  In order to qualify, Minnesota residents must rent and have past due bills, qualify for unemployment or were “negatively impacted” by COVID-19. For more on qualification and how to apply, go to RentHelpMN.org. That’s Rent Help MN. o-r-g Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho says the program is brand new, so it may take a bit for payments to make it to individuals. Aq 

Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update.  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.  8:14 WALZ: “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.”  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. More information on that effort is on MinnesotaNativeNews.org    I’m Cole Premo.

In mid-April, Minnesota announced the opening of a new vaccination site at Lino Lakes. That makes it the ninth permanent vaccination site in the state.These mass vaccination sites are part of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program. The goal of this program is to make it easier for Minnesotans to get vaccinated, wherever they are.Other permanent vaccination sites are located in St. Cloud, Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, Saint Paul, Mankato and Oakdale—with the potential for more to come.These sites do not accept walk-ins. To get an appointment, sign up for the state’s Vaccine Connector at M-N dot GOV backslash VACCINE CONNECTOR. This will notify you when vaccine opportunities open near you.Once you get your Community Vaccination Program Appointment, try to arrive 15 minutes early. Appointments are staggered to help with social distancing.Vaccine shots are provided at no cost. But if you have an insurance card, bring it along. The state will use the information to bill the insurance company on your behalf. If you are uninsured or for some reason your insurance company does not cover all the cost, the state will cover the difference.Insurance is not required. The COVID vaccine is free to everyone.Expect to sit for at least 15 minutes after you receive the vaccine. If you have allergies, you’ll be asked to wait 30 minutes. This is to ensure there are no reactions to the vaccine.

What does COVID vaccine efficacy and COVID vaccine effectiveness mean? And which vaccine is best for you?Efficacy refers to how well a vaccine works in a controlled setting, as in a clinical trial. Effectiveness, on the other hand, refers to how well it works in a real-world setting.The Pfizer vaccine had a 95 percent efficacy in clinical trials. A U.S. study showed that the Moderna vaccine had a 90 percent efficacy in a recent clinical trial.But how does that translate to the real world? How well will they work for you?Americans have been getting shots in arms since December. The CDC followed 4,000 individuals who’d received shots over a period of months. It found both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to be 90 percent effective at preventing infection.These are both two-dose vaccines. But even after the first dose, the vaccines proved 80 percent effective at preventing infection.So which vaccine should you get? Health experts say there is no “best” vaccine. Take whichever one is available to you. Because it’s more important to get protected from the coronavirus than to shop around for a preferred vaccine. You can expect to gain maximum protection 14 to 28 days after both shots. Even with the current variants, the vaccines prevent 90 percent of infections. They also keep you from becoming seriously ill, if you get infected.

Script: Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update. Eligible Minnesotans now have the ability to book appointments at Minnesota’s community vaccination locations directly and at their own convenience, Gov. Tim Walz says. Minnesotans can use the Vaccine Connector tool to directly schedule appointments at the sites. If appointments are full, there’s an option to get notified when appointments free up. You can find the vaccine connector tool at vaccineconnector.mn.gov.   These community vaccination sites are located around the state… locations include St. Paul, Bloomington, Oakdale, Mankato, Duluth, Rochester, Lino Lakes and St. Cloud. There’s also a federally-supported community vaccination site at the State Fairgrounds that is serving residents of socially vulnerable zip codes around the Twin Cities.   Direct scheduling comes as the state has administered more than 4 million doses to nearly 2.5 million Minnesotansl since vaccinations began in late 2020. More than 56% of Minnesotans 16 years of age and older and 85% of adults 65 years of age and up have received at least one dose.   In other news, the state will again be administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Federal officials recently lifted the pause on the vaccine after a very small number of people developed blood clots after receiving the dose.   Of the 8 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine already administered in the United States, there were 15 cases with blood clots discovered. Health experts say the risks from getting COVID-19 -- including getting blood clots due to the virus -- are higher than the rare risk associated with the vaccine.   A safety warning will be handed out at vaccine sites.  I’m Cole Premo. 

Mobile vaccination units, the latest strategy in the vaccination push in Minnesota, have officially launched in the state.  The Walz-Flanagan Administration announced the beginning of the mobile vaccination unit effort, which will be providing COVID vaccinations in communities throughout the state.  Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm toured the mobile units, which are buses, and spoke a bit about the effort at a recent press conference.  MALCOLM: The buses will go where they are requested. We welcome requests. We’re working with community organizations...  Health officials say the focus communities will include, but are not limited to, people of color, urban Native Americans, LGBTQI+, people with disabilities and unique health needs and many more.  There are two mobile units so far, with six expected by the summer. They’re expected to be able to vaccinate up to 150 people per day.  Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic. More information on that effort is on MinnesotaNativeNews.org  

By mid-April, Minnesota was tracking a rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations. The growth in cases is occurring even as the state reports that half of eligible adults has already received the COVID vaccine.Much of the surge has been driven by kids returning to school and youth sports—and by new COVID variants. The UK, also called the B-One-One-Seven, variant is now the dominant strain in the state. Data suggests that it is 70 to 100 percent more infectious and at least 50 to 60 percent more likely to cause severe disease.On top of that, the CDC has reported 74 deaths in fully vaccinated people. Minnesota has recorded over 560 cases of breakthrough COVID. This refers to people who are at least two weeks out from their final vaccine dose but who test positive for COVID. Of those cases, 66 needed hospitalization and six died.Why is this happening? Health experts point to the variants.Vaccines aren’t perfect. And they can’t anticipate how a virus will evolve. These changes in the virus create the variants. Pfizer has already said that a booster shot will likely be necessary within 12 months of vaccination. The same will probably hold true with the other COVID vaccines.Still, a recent Mayo Clinic study suggests that the vaccine rollout is paying off. Researchers say that without these shots, Minnesota would have twice the number of cases in ICU right now than at the peak last December.   

There are now government funds available to help pay the bills of both renters and landlords impacted by the pandemic.State officials recently announced the new rental assistance program, RentHelpMN, and it is open for applications. It’s targeted at low to moderate income renters who have gotten caught up in overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13 of 2020.Due to federal funding through the stimulus bill passed late last year, the state of Minnesota received about $375 million dollars for emergency rental assistance, $289 million of it going to the state and $85 million to localities in the Twin Cities’ metro area.There will be one statewide portal for rental assistance. The state, working with participating local governments, will distribute the funds. There’ll also be community organization partners that can help renters navigate the application process, or point them to other resources.Landlords are being encouraged to inform their tenants about RentHelpMN.For more information and to apply, renters can visit renthelpmn.org. That’s RentHelpMN.o-r-g. There’s also the Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline, which will have multilingual staff available to help answer questions about the rental assistance. That’s available Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Meanwhile, the state has launched a mobile vaccination unit to increase equitable access for the COVID-19 vaccine. More on that in the next update.

Following a rash of travel-related COVID-19 cases, health officials are urging testing for travelers returning to Minnesota.   According to the Minnesota Department of Health, four Minnesotans have contracted the P.1. COVID variant after a stay at The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico. They were staying at the resort in mid-March.  The P.1. variant was first detected in Brazil.  Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Americans, urging no travel to Mexico due to high COVID-19 transmission.  Minnesota Health’s Deputy State Epidemiologist, Dr. Richard Danila, says anyone who has traveled internationally is recommended to test three to five days after their return, even if they have been vaccinated. They’re also advised to be on the lookout for symptoms.   Those who are not vaccinated are recommended to quarantine, in addition to testing, upon their return.   Health officials say travelers should wear face masks, physically distance, avoid crowds and wash hands frequently. Unvaccinated travelers should test one to three days before departure, and should not travel if sick or exposed to someone with COVID-19.   More information on COVID-19 variant strains can be found on Minnesota Health Department’s website. The CDC’s website will have information on travel precautions and testing. 

Boozhoo, aaniin, I’m Cole Premo, here’s your Daily Update  Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has announced that the statewide “Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN” vaccine outreach campaign will be focusing on “critical frontline workforce sectors” in manufacturing.   Earlier in April, the campaign kicked off with food service industry workers. Over the following weeks, other priority frontline sectors will be vaccinated at community vaccination sites.   State officials say Minnesota’s 8,270 manufacturing companies had to “re-tool” assembly lines and workplace environments during the pandemic, in order to keep the state’s economy afloat and provide goods people rely on.  Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen said these workers maintained a critical food supply, and worked in high-risk settings since the beginning of the pandemic. Peterson says that’s why the state owes it to them to make sure they can be vaccinated as quickly and easily as possible.   To schedule an appointment, manufacturing employees are asked to register in the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector so they can get their spot in line. That’s at vaccineconnector.mn.gov  Over 50% of eligible Minnesotans have now received at least one vaccine dose and more than one-third of the eligible population has completed their vaccine series. Over 85% of people 65 years of age and up have gotten at least one dose, too.   Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic. More information on that effort is on MinnesotaNativeNews.org    I’m Cole Premo.

When you get vaccinated for COVID, you’ll be given a little white card issued by the CDC. Its official name is the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Unofficially, it’s being called the Vaccine Passport.The card is filled out for you at your appointment. The healthcare worker records your name, date of birth, the date of each dose and the type of vaccine you’re getting: Pfizer Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.For two-dose vaccines, you need to bring the card to your second appointment. Some people take photos of their cards, in case they get lost.These Vaccine Passports are your proof of vaccination. But these little slips of paper have also stirred up controversy.Florida’s governor has banned the use of them. There’s a feeling that requiring proof of vaccination is an invasion of privacy. Not everyone wants to get vaccinated. And no business should require proof of vaccination for service.Hawaii, which is heavily reliant on tourism dollars, hopes to encourage travel with a vaccine passport program. Airlines, cruise lines and concert venues have established vaccine verification systems. A vaccine passport program can speed up the process. And they can allow for larger crowd sizes, a great help to industries struggling to reopen during a pandemic.Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz says the state has no plans for a vaccine passport program.

Even as the COVID virus is surging in some parts of the U.S., including Minnesota, federal health agencies have called for a pause on the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.This came after six women developed a rare blood clot disorder two weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. One woman died. Another was hospitalized. The women were between the ages of 18 and 48.What kind of impact will this have on Minnesota?It will certainly slow down the rollout of COVID vaccines. With one of the vaccines removed, there will be fewer doses available, resulting in fewer vaccination appointments.The one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine was popular with people who wanted to get fully protected faster: Two weeks versus the four weeks it takes for the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.It was also popular with vaccination sites because it is easier to ship and doesn’t need to be stored at very low temperatures.Over 2 million Minnesotans have received at least one vaccine dose. That adds up to 46 percent of residents 16 and older. Eight-four percent of Minnesotans 65 and older are included in that number. To reach herd immunity, health officials are aiming to vaccinate 80 percent of the state’s total population.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic have again been extended. It comes as virus cases rise and vaccinations continue to ramp up with over 3.4 million doses administered in the state so far.   The Minnesota Executive Council, all Democrats, extended the governor’s powers by another 30 days.  Walz says the move continues to give state officials the ability to act swiftly during the pandemic as the state works to outpace the spread of COVID-19 variants. He said it helped prevent an even bigger impact on long-term care facilities.   In other news, the governor recently announced that $135 million in federal funding will go to support child care in Minnesota. The funds will go to providers and improve access to child care for families impacted by the pandemic.   The new funding will come from the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was passed in December. This funding is in addition to $48 million that the state previously received from the federal government for child care.   Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan says the funding is focused on equity and will be going to low-income families while also providing critical support for child care providers.   Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic 

Minnesota has joined many other states in pausing administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine while a review is underway of some very rare instances of blood clots.   Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the pause after six women developed a rare and severe type of blood clot.   More than 184,000 Minnesotans have received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine, and so far, there haven’t been any similar reports of blood clots in the state.   Here’s Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm in a recent press conference.   MALCOLM: “Any Minnesotans who have had the J&J vaccine, if you have a severe headache, abdominal pain, etc within 3 weeks of getting the vaccine, we want you to check it out with your healthcare provider.”  Jan Malcolm says further information from federal officials is expected within days, not weeks.   Minnesotans with an appointment for the J&J vaccine are advised to look out for notifications from their provider on canceling, postponing or rescheduling.   Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic. 

Marie: From Minnesota Native News… this is a COVID-19 Daily Update.MARIE:  I’m Marie Rock. MARIE: COVID is the ultimate puzzle. Some people never experience symptoms and have no clue they’ve been infected. Others get sick and never seem to get back to their healthy normal.People in that second category are long haulers. They experience what’s called “long COVID.” This is when they recover from the initial infection but then suffer through months of chronic post-COVID symptoms. Horrible fatigue. Brain fog. Shortness of breath. Chest pain. Gastrointestinal problems.Health experts predict 10 to 30 percent of cases will transition into long COVID.Because the disease hasn’t even been with us two years yet, the health community can’t say for certain—yet—how long… “long COVID” might last. Recently, a new twist has been added to the mystery of long COVID. Some long haulers are reporting feeling better after getting the vaccine.Is this wishful thinking?Health experts point out that some COVID effects—like damage to the heart—cannot be reversed by a vaccine. Yet, if long haulers are experiencing a lessening of symptoms after their shot—this could indicate that with some patients the virus never left them. It was circulating in their systems—until the vaccine cleared it out.As with much to do with this virus, the impact of the vaccine on long COVID will remain a mystery until more study can be devoted to it.For MN Native News…. I’m Marie Rock. For more information go online to M-N Native news DOT O-R-GThis MN Native News COVID-19 Daily Update is supported by the MN Dept. of Health.

More than 3 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Minnesota, but health officials are still urging caution with virus cases rising in the state.  In an effort to answer some questions answered for its community on vaccines and rising variant cases, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa posted a video to Facebook featuring the band’s medical director Dr. Charity Reynolds. Dr. Reynolds began by discussing the COVID-19 variants.  REYNOLDS: Variants are the No. 1 strain of the COVID-19 virus at this time. We know the UK virus is the no. 1 virus in this region and in this area. We need to continue to be careful. Scientists are working to produce a booster for the vaccine so we can be protected against this virus, but in the meantime we need to be careful.  Dr. Reynolds also discusses future vaccination for children.  REYNOLDS: Likely end of year of early 2022, that’s likely to be available for the general population.  Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators, working with the state’s health department, continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic. 

Is the COVID vaccine safe for children?Currently, the three vaccines available in Minnesota are authorized for teens and adults. The Moderna and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for age groups eighteen and up. Only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for age sixteen on up.But are they safe and effective for adolescents, children and infants?Clinical studies on children have lagged behind because, with the urgency of the pandemic, pharmaceutical companies had to put their focus on the population hardest hit by COVID—adults and those with underlying health conditions.But clinical trials are already underway for the younger members of your family.Pfizer has reported that its vaccine is 100 percent effective in kids age 12 to 15. The vaccine was well-tolerated and symptoms, when they existed, were consistent with those experienced by adults.Kids, in general, are at low risk for complications from COVID. Yet, nationally, more than 13,500 kids have been hospitalized with the disease.Health experts say it’s necessary to determine the safety of the vaccines for kids…  because we won’t be able to contain the spread of COVID until children are vaccinated. Also, a COVID vaccination may become a requirement for school attendance. This is a decision that will be made by each state.Manufacturers hope to have vaccines ready for children before the start of next school year.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials have announced an outreach campaign that is focused on vaccinating workers in frontline industries, including the food industry.   Walz says the outreach effort is part of the state’s “Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN” overall campaign. This particular outreach campaign will begin with workers at restaurants, bars and breweries across the state.   Here’s the governor at a recent press conference announcing the outreach effort.   WALZ: “Every worker is essential, every business matters, but these industries were hit the hardest and they are very customer facing … so we’re here to make the case … move the vaccines to those locations and encourage all food service workers to get vaccinated. One vaccine in an arm is one step closer to getting this thing done.”  According to the latest data from the Minnesota Department of Health, more than 1.8 million Minnesotans have received at least one vaccine dose, including 83% of seniors. Nearly 1.2 million people have been fully vaccinated. It comes as Minnesota is seeing a rise in cases of the virus, which has health officials urging vigilance and vaccination to stem the rising case rate.   Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic. 

You can breathe a sigh of relief. You’ve gotten your COVID vaccine and now it’s been two weeks.You’ve got full protection against the virus now--and your friends (who haven’t gotten the shot yet) are feeling “vaccine envy.”That’s how it supposed to work, in an ideal world. But by the end of March, Minnesota had already documented around 90 cases of breakthrough COVID in people who were fully vaccinated.That’s what you and your non-vaccinated friend have in common. You can both still become infected with the COVID virus. But the differences are more significant. Though fully-vaccinated and non-vaccinated people can contract COVID, the fully-vaccinated person is less likely to experience severe symptoms. Of the nearly 90 cases of breakthrough COVID, not one has died.Another difference: fully-vaccinated individuals are far, far less likely to contract COVID. That shows the vaccine is doing its job. Health experts estimate that less than a tenth of one percent of fully-vaccinated Minnesotans will become infected.Breakthrough COVID is not a surprise. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were about ninety-five percent effective in clinical tests. The other five percent of the time, the virus was able to slip past the vaccine’s defenses.Yet even with that five percent, the vaccine is still the best bet for staying out of the hospital and staying healthy.

Top state officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, have announced that Minnesota will be home to one of the newest locations of a federally-run mass vaccination site.   Gov. Tim Walz says the vaccination site comes due to the state’s request for a fully-supplied mass vaccination site to further strengthen the state’s vaccine push.   The site will be located at the Minnesota State fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. Over eight weeks, this site will receive 168,000 vaccine doses, a combination of Pfizer’s and Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine. These doses are in addition to the state’s current allocation of vaccine doses.   Vaccinations will begin at the fairgrounds on April 14 and will be available for those living in the certain zip codes near the fairgrounds. The zip codes have been highlighted by the CDC as having the highest Social Vulnerability Index. They are within Ramsey and Hennepin County and are listed at mn.gov.   The site will be by appointment only. Minnesotans who live within these zip codes are encouraged to sign up for the vaccine connector tool. Information on directly booking appointments through a call center will be shared soon.   There will be no cost for vaccination, nor will Minnesotans need to provide an ID or medical insurance.   Meanwhile, COVID-19 community coordinators continue efforts to get vaccine information and other resources to the state’s diverse communities, including help with transportation, housing and language barriers during the pandemic. 

A $2 million dollar grant has been announced for mental health support in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic.   According to state officials, the grant comes from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.   The funding will be used for not only health care providers and first responders, but for those with serious mental illness or substance use disorders who have been impacted by the pandemic and unable to pay for behavioral health services.   Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan says, quote: “the COVID-19 pandemic has made those living with serious mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders even more vulnerable. This funding will be critical to ensuring those Minnesotans can continue to receive the care and support they need.” Unquote.   The state’s Department of Human Services, the DHS, will be issuing funds to seven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the state, with these clinics expected to assess and provide help to about 6,000 Minnesotans.   DHS officials anticipate that 70% of the grant funding will be used for those with severe mental illness or substance use disorders. DHS will also be using the funding to improve telephone and video access services, in an effort to remove barriers to these services but also reducing exposure to COVID-19.   The effort to remove barriers includes removing resource barriers for underserved communities of color, including native communities. These certified community behavioral health clinics will be working with tribal nations and both urban and rural native health clinics to ensure access to culturally responsive services. 

The CDC director has warned of “impending doom” in the fight against COVID. Once again, the country is seeing a spike in cases in most states. Minnesota is one of the states that has recently reported an increase in hospitalizations. That’s a worrying trend.

On Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz announced that the state’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program is expanding with a large-scale site now at Inwood Oaks in Oakdale. The Oakdale site joins other permanent vaccination sites in Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington, St. Paul, St. Cloud and Mankato. Here’s Walz during the state of the state address.

This holds true for the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine as well as the two-shot Pfizer and Modern vaccines.

While vaccinations are continuing to ramp up in Minnesota, COVID-19 cases are still an ongoing threat with many still being hospitalized for the virus. State health officials say if you get sick with COVID-19, there is medication that can help your body fight the virus, but it’s important to act quickly.

Minnesota has now expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to anyone over 16 years old, but priority will still be given to those more vulnerable to the virus and essential workers.

Minnesota has expanded eligibility for the COVID vaccine. And, if you’re not eligible yet, you will be. But how do you make an appointment to get a COVID vaccine? Where do you go?

Gov. Tim Walz recently announced that Minnesota, as of the latest data from March 23, is the No. 1 ranked state for the percentage of vaccine distributed administered. Basically, Minnesota has delivered its vaccine supply into arms more efficiently than all other states.

This new guidance paves the way for in-person visits. Facilities are now allowed to permit indoor visitation at all times and for all residents. Even if the visitor or the resident is unvaccinated, visits are permitted.

The medication in question is called metformin. And the multi-site clinical trial is seeking volunteers for the outpatient study. It will also be the first randomized clinical trial for COVID-19 in the world to include pregnant women.

The Centers for Disease Control has released new guidelines for schools during the pandemic, but it won’t change much in Minnesota. As part of the new guidance from the CDC, students now can be spaced out 3 feet from one another in classrooms -- that’s half of the previously recommended 6 feet.

The 1.9 trillion-dollar federal pandemic relief package will channel billions of dollars to Minnesota aimed at helping with vaccine rollout.

Top Minnesota officials are touting the state’s vaccination efforts as more than two million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered. Gov. Tim Walz made the announcement, saying it took more than two months to administer the first million doses, but less than a month to deliver another million doses.