As the concerns of new Covid subvariants are increasing here in Minnesota, analysis of the Covid-19 load data in the Twin Cities wastewater sampling are reportedly up 58%, according to Star Tribune.

“A fast-spreading coronavirus variant — known as BA.2.12.1 and responsible for a surge of COVID-19 in the northeastern U.S. — made up 47% of the viral load in sewage sampled May 10-16 at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant in St. Paul. BA.4 and BA.5, the newest variants of concern causing more cases in South Africa, made up 7% of the viral load in the Twin Cities,” writes Star Tribune.

Though Covid-19 cases are reportedly slightly upping, these cases are reportedly mild and there are no reports of causing severe illness and hospitalization. Referring to Minnesota Health officials, Star Tribune writes “they believe immunity from vaccinations and recent infections is helping to reduce the rate of severe illness in the latest wave. However, they urged continued COVID-19 vaccinations because even a low rate of severe illness can exhaust hospital capacity if enough people are infected at once.”

• COVID-19 virus up 58% in Twin Cities wastewater
• COVID levels leap in Twin Cities wastewater; hospitalizations edge higher

Quoting the recent Wastewater data analysis data from the University of Minnesota’s Medical School, MPR News writes that there is “continued declines in amount of COVID-19 detected in three wastewater plants in the northwest and slowing rates of increase in treatment plants located in the state’s central, Twin Cities and south-central regions”.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 19 counties in Minnesota including St. Louis County, home to Duluth are classified under “high community-level risk“, writes MPR News.

The CDC recommends “that those in counties rated as having high community level risk should wear masks indoors, including schools — as should those considered at-risk and living in the 29 medium community level counties, including the Twin Cities metro, as well as Stearns County, home to much of St. Cloud”.

Quoting Minnesota Department of Health, MPR News writes that newly reported cases in the states are still comprised of Omicron, however, new subvariants are evolving (as shown in wasterwater):

• BA.2 is now dominant.
• BA.2.12.1 continues to grow, with 131 cases reported as of Tuesday, up from 47 in the week prior.
• There are now four known cases of omicron BA.4.
• The state has identified its first known case of COVID-19 caused by omicron BA.5.