Minnesota
More Minnesota counties have high COVID-19 levels but milder cases
Coronavirus infections look like rising effectively past publicly reported ranges in Minnesota, however the newest pandemic wave has brought on milder diseases and modest will increase up to now in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
Whereas the state is reporting greater than 2,100 circumstances per day — up from 374 in mid-March — the Institute for Well being Metrics and Analysis estimates the true quantity at greater than 10,000 per day.
“Within the final seven to 10 days, I do know extra individuals who have been contaminated than in every other seven-to-10-day time interval in the entire pandemic,” mentioned Michael Osterholm, director of the College of Minnesota’s Heart for Infectious Illness Analysis and Coverage. “We’re not seeing the numbers reported out like that simply because some folks don’t get examined.”
Nineteen Minnesota counties, principally surrounding Duluth and Rochester, have been designated with excessive COVID-19 ranges Thursday by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC). The designation means individuals are suggested to put on masks indoors in public to cut back viral transmission.
The seven counties that make up the Twin Cities metro space are amongst 29 with average ranges.
Quick-spreading coronavirus variants this spring have fueled a brand new U.S. pandemic wave of extra infections however fewer extreme diseases, placing most of New York and New England on the CDC’s high-risk ranges.
The CDC ranges are designed to alert communities when sickness and hospitalization charges might threaten the capacities of their native medical methods. Nonetheless, even high-risk counties in Minnesota are reporting manageable hospitalization numbers. Docs report that extra of their inpatient COVID-19 circumstances contain individuals who have been admitted for different causes and solely examined optimistic by routine screening.
Of Minnesota’s 426 COVID-19 hospitalizations Wednesday, 8% required intensive care. That ICU fee had been above 30% throughout different pandemic waves.
Extreme COVID-19 sickness has declined amongst all age teams this spring however not as dramatically amongst seniors who’ve been extra susceptible to coronavirus infections because the begin of the pandemic, in accordance with information launched Thursday by the Minnesota Division of Well being.
Seniors made up all 9 COVID-19 deaths reported Thursday in Minnesotaand 72 of 81 deaths reported up to now in Might. That’s 89% of the COVID-19 deaths this month, a rise from 72% within the first 4 months of the yr.
Adults youthful than 50, by comparability, made up 7% of the COVID-19 deaths by April, however just one loss of life in Might.
Osterholm mentioned seniors have been among the many earliest recipients of COVID-19 vaccine final winter and booster doses final fall due to their elevated dangers, and they’re possible experiencing waning immunity similtaneously protections resembling mask-wearing and social distancing are largely being discarded.
“We’re seeing, principally from a time standpoint, extra people who find themselves additional away from their final dose of vaccine,” he mentioned.
The age tendencies are mirrored in outbreak information. Infections have been recognized in 368 residents of congregate care amenities resembling nursing properties within the week ending Might 7, a rise from 105 5 weeks earlier. Preliminary an infection numbers declined amongst Okay-12 college students over the identical time.
Vaccination charges might be declining in nursing properties amid turnover in employees and residents, and extra boosters could be wanted, Osterholm mentioned. Minnesota is under the nationwide common with a accomplished COVID-19 vaccination fee of 87% amongst nursing residence employees, in accordance with the CDC. Nonetheless, the state is above the nationwide common within the share of vaccinated staff who’ve acquired boosters.
Vaccinations have helped scale back the severity of the newest pandemic wave, Osterholm mentioned, together with the second booster doses beneficial for folks 50 or older, these with weakened immune methods or individuals who have solely acquired the less-effective Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
However he mentioned immunity wanes in a number of months, and other people aren’t going to have the ability to preserve tempo with repeated pictures.
“We won’t enhance our method out of it,” he mentioned. “One factor that’s actually vital, although, is that up to now the vaccines have been exceptional at decreasing extreme sickness, hospitalization and loss of life.”
The CDC’s record of Minnesota counties with excessive neighborhood COVID-19 ranges elevated from 9 final week and consists of Carlton, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Mille Lacs, Olmsted, Pine, Pope, Roseau, St. Louis, Steele, Stevens, Wabasha and Winona.
Regardless of this improve, wastewater information from throughout Minnesota means that viral ranges might be ebbing, if not declining. The degrees are inclined to rise and fall earlier than adjustments in COVID-19 case numbers.
Viral ranges in sewage samples from 13 metro space therapy vegetation declined from Might 11 by Wednesday, in accordance with monitoring by the College of Minnesota.
Developments might shift, although, particularly with Minnesota figuring out its first circumstances involving the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus variants which are spreading quickly in South Africa, mentioned Mark Osborn, the U researcher supervising the wastewater monitoring.
“We’re very fastidiously weighing this regarding the … subvariants and what tendencies shall be over the approaching days/weeks,” he mentioned in an e-mail.
Studies from South Africa present the same sample, although, of quicker viral unfold and extra infections however a decrease fee of extreme sickness, Osterholm mentioned.
Minnesota
Bizarre Minnesota laws, including penalties for driving a filthy car, that will shock you
Each state has its own set of laws that seem quite strange, and Minnesota is not exempt.
Many bizarre laws that come out of states are fictional rumors that somehow spread with no evidence backing them. In Minnesota, this includes it being illegal to cross state lines with a duck on your head or parking an elephant on Main Street. Though, there are certain laws that are surprisingly true.
Among Minnesota’s strangest laws include not being allowed to drive with dirty tires and the inability to be charged with drunkenness.
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Below are more details about these strange laws and more that are on the books in the state of Minnesota.
- You cannot be charged with drunkenness
- It’s against the law to drive with sticky, dirty tires
- Mosquitoes are a public nuisance
- Think twice before hitchhiking
1. You cannot be charged with drunkenness
In Minnesota, public intoxication alone is not a crime.
This is according to Section 340A.902 of Minnesota law.
The law states that “no person may be charged with or convicted of the offense of drunkenness or public drunkenness.”
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That said, a person could still be convicted of other offenses, like if injuring another or damaging property occurs.
“Nothing herein prevents the prosecution and conviction of an intoxicated person for offenses other than drunkenness or public drunkenness nor does this section relieve a person from civil liability for an injury to persons or property caused by the person while intoxicated,” the written statute goes on to state.
Minnesota is not the only state which does not consider public intoxication a crime.
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Montana, Nevada and Wisconsin are other states that don’t criminalize drunkenness in public, according to FindLaw.com.
2. It’s against the law to drive with sticky, dirty tires
If you have dirty tires that are spreading filth in the road, be wary before driving down a road in Minnesota. More specifically, in Minnetonka, where driving with dirty tires could lead to legal trouble.
Under Section 845.010, “Public Nuisances Affecting Peace, Safety and General Welfare” in Minnetonka, Minnesota’s Code of Ordinances, drivers are not allowed to drive “a truck or other vehicle whose wheels or tires deposit mud, dirt, sticky substances, litter or other material on any street or highway.”
“A violation of this ordinance is subject to the penalties and provisions of Chapter XIII of the city code,” the law states.
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3. Mosquitoes are a public nuisance
Minnesota is home to lots of mosquitoes, so much so that there is actually a law written about the insects.
The law refers to areas where mosquitoes are in abundance.
Section 18G.14 in part states that “areas where mosquitoes incubate or hatch are declared to be public nuisances and may be abated under this section. Mosquito abatement may be undertaken under this section anywhere in the state by any governmental unit.”
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4. Think twice before hitchhiking
Think twice before trying to catch a ride by waiting on the side of the road in Minnesota.
State statute 169.22 describes the act of hitchhiking as unlawful.
“No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any private vehicle,” the statute states.
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Another section of this statute applies to solicitation of business.
“No person shall stand on a roadway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business, or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle,” the statute states.
Minnesota
What six independent voters in Minnesota think about the presidential election
This time around, Vraa said he’s “probably ready” to vote for Harris. “Trump lies so much it’s crazy,” he said. “The cats and dogs pronouncement during the debate. It’s crazy. He bounces around on so many things. It would be OK if he just admitted he made a mistake, but then he doubles down..”
Bird, who works in finance, grew up in a conservative Minnesota household and has voted for Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and independents. Bird voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson in 2016 and for Biden in 2020. “I really try to take it person by person, year over year,” he said.
Bird’s top issues this election include the burgeoning national debt — which now stands at more than $35 trillion. “They need to curb spending, both candidates should be talking about it,” he said. “Nobody cares about the deficit, and running the government in a way that makes sense.”
Bird is also concerned about the economy, but notes, “as a white-collar worker, in general the economy has been favorable to me.” And he supports abortion rights: “People should have the freedom to do what they want.”
Bird said he’s voting for Harris. “I don’t mind her, I think she’s a good person. She’s a standard Democrat.”
Freyholtz is a Vietnam veteran and retired teacher who runs a family farm in the northwestern Minnesota town of about 250 people.
Minnesota
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