On Thursday Nov 5, Minnesota health officials reported third consecutive record-breaking newly confirmed or probable cases, with 3,956 news cases. On Friday, record breaking 5,454 new cases — the first time that daily count over 5,000, reported with 36 additional deaths. “With COVID-19 cases skyrocketing and beds filling with patients, state officials continue to emphasize that it’s the little things that are fueling a wildfire-like spread across Minnesota” writes MPR News.

It’s happening with small groups of friends and social gatherings. It’s happening in our backyards. It’s happening in places where people gather in groups and start to feel comfortable. The fact is gathering in a group of people is risky right now.

Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Health Commissioner (source: MPR News)

According to the state health officials, the younger working adults, who may not realize they are infected with COVID-19 and have apparent symptoms are unknowingly spreading the virus.

Commissioner Malcolm and other state health officials are pleading to all Minnesotans ‘to wear masks in public gathering spaces, socially distance and stay home if you feel ill’. Malcolm is quoted by reporters saying:

• “Many of these people have no or very mild symptoms and have no way of knowing that they’re positive or that who they’re interacting with may be positive”,
• “The level of virus circulating in our communities is at an all-time high,”
• “This increases the chance that you’ll be exposed, even if the people you’re with have no symptoms. Everybody needs to consider how to limit their interactions at this point in time outside of our immediate households.”

According to reports, “distrust of the government, together with deeply rooted health and economic disparities, have hampered efforts to boost testing among communities of color, particularly for undocumented immigrants who fear their personal information may be used to deport them”.

“State authorities had worried that late summer and early fall gatherings, sporting events and informal get-togethers would drive an October surge as Minnesotans let down their guard against the virus. That happened, and it’s now spilling into November,” writes MPR News.

Commissioner Malcolm told reporters on Friday, “Our behavior is driving this … literally thousands and thousands of small decisions happening around Minnesota that are the issue here.”

A frustrated Minnesota infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann told reporters “We really need people to take this seriously and make some changes.”