997 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths in Minnesota

The number of Minnesotans who have now received at least one vaccine dose is 1,240,140.

March 14, 2021 at 4:33PM
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North Memorial nurse Maureen Kurgat vaccinated Catherine Rivard, 68, against COVID-19 during a vaccination event in one of Rivard’s apartment’s common areas Thursday. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.comMinnesota counties and nonprofit health providers have opened a new front in the fight against the pandemic: Vaccinating thousands of frail and homebound seniors who have no way to get to clinics on their own. For the first time, local agencies on aging have begun bringing vaccines directly to seniors in apartment buildings, driving them to vaccine appointments and, in some cases, arranging for them to be vaccinated inside their own homes. It's part of a new push to inoculate thousands of homebound seniors -- including many with chronic health problems -- who so far have been left behind in the state's aggressive rollout of the vaccines. We photograph Catherine Rivard, 68, as she’s vaccinated in the lobby of her Northeast Minneapolis apartment on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota health officials on Sunday reported 997 new COVID-19 cases, along with 5 additional deaths.

On the vaccine front, an additional 34,798 state residents, or 22%, have received at least the first dose, bringing the total to 1,240,140.

Vaccination sites are giving 13,000 to 14,000 shots during the weekdays, which includes second doses as well. But activity drops sharply over the weekends.

Minnesota has been receiving shipments of the required second dose that is needed to provide immunity protection. So far, 707,776 people have gotten the second shot.

To date, the pandemic has sickened 497,392 Minnesotans and led to 6,746 deaths, according to the state Department of Health.

Of the newly reported deaths, two were residents of long-term care facilities.

Most people who become ill from the coronavirus experience mild or no symptoms. An estimated 482,053 of those sickened are considered to be no longer infectious.

People with underlying health conditions, including heart, lung and kidney disease, are more likely to develop serious complications that require medical attention.

The number of people needing hospitalization for COVID-19 complications continues to decline. A total of 10 patients were newly admitted Sunday, down from 50 newly admitted Saturday.

Diagnostic laboratories reported 27,414 test results to state officials, a decrease from 32,829 the previous day.

Kim Hyatt • 612-673-4751

about the writer

about the writer

Kim Hyatt

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Kim Hyatt reports on North Central Minnesota. She previously covered Hennepin County courts.

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