According to the Minnesota health officials, recent genomic data demonstrated that Coronavirus more infectious variant (known as the B.1.1.7) is “widespread” in Minnesota with 479 infections with B.1.1.7, 108 infections with new variants found in California, writes Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Jeremy Olson in the star tribune. State health officials emphasized that these new cases ‘underscores the need for mask-wearing, social distancing and vaccination’.

“Genomic sequencing of a sampling of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota has found 479 infections with the B.1.1.7 variant that was identified in England and has resulted in new pandemic waves throughout Europe. The infections include an outbreak centered on youth sports in Carver County.”

We think we are seeing early signs … that the proportion of cases that are in the ICU or that result in deaths is lower than in prior surges.

Jan Malcolm, Health Commissioner (source: Star Tribune)

Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist told reporters that of the 479 reported cases only 15% involved travel suggeting that the virus is “widespread” and passing from person to person in Minnesota.

“We know these variants are spreading and we know how to slow them down. We have been at this for many months and we’re all excited to get to the end. … Now is the time to buckle down and finish the job we all started.”

“When you have as many people infected as we have with COVID-19, there are a lot of opportunities for mutations to happen. Most mutations don’t have much impact, but some can make a virus more transmissible and/or more likely to cause severe illness,” added Dr Lynfield.

Will vaccinations be able to outrun the COVID-19 variants, including the highly contagious U.K. strain? The latest numbers show the state’s vaccination pace plateauing while active cases and hospitalizations rise.https://t.co/8gitnVfZi8

— MPR News (@MPRnews) March 24, 2021

• U.K. COVID-19 variant widespread in Minnesota
• Minnesota reports sixth young COVID-19 death
• Minnesota’s front-line workers wait their turn for COVID vaccine
• Can vaccinations outrun the variants?

24-year-old Died of COVID-19

Minnesota recently reported its sixth young COVID-19 death. This Anoka County resident of age 20 to 24 became the state’s seventh COVID-19 deaths reported on Tuesday and who reportedly suffered from underlying health conditions that complicated the disease.

The Star Tribune’s Olson writes “The vaccine progress is being measured against an uptick in pandemic activity in Minnesota, where 87 intensive care hospital beds were filled on Monday with COVID-19 patients.”

According to the MPR News, “there’s a low hum of new infections now, led by the highly contagious U.K. COVID-19 variant. The question now: Will vaccinations be able to outrun the variants? The latest numbers show the state’s vaccination pace staying flat while active cases and hospitalizations rise.”