COVID-19 Group Spread Still A Concern, Other Metrics Improving

ACROSS MINNESOTA —The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on Friday released its latest summary of COVID-19 spread at group events, and the numbers suggest that spread at bars and restaurants and among sports teammates is still an issue in the state.

According to the report, there have been 39 COVID-19 group outbreaks of customers in bars and restaurants so far in 2021. Meanwhile, 85 outbreaks have been related to sporting activities, defined as being at least two cases on the same team or sports program that can't be traced to other common infection sources.

However, recent MDH data has indicated some positive trends in Minnesota's fight against COVID-19.

According to the MDH's Feb. 22 update, the most recent seven-day positivity average was at 3.6 percent, its lowest point since June. As of Tuesday, 54 Minnesotans were in intensive care because of COVID-19, while 215 additional COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, but not in intensive care.

The MDH also reported Monday, one COVID-19 death and 561 new infections, which brought the overall total to 6,433 deaths and 479,591 cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

On the vaccine front, the MDH reported Sunday that 762,089 Minnesotans had received at least the first of dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 362,156 people had received both doses.