MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The state of Minnesota released a new, more comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination dashboard on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Minnesota health officials reported 1,335 more virus cases and 13 more deaths.
The dashboard was produced by Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) and MDH. The dashboard is designed in a user-friendly way with four tabs on the top that keep a close eye.
“Today Minnesota launched its new COVID dashboard on the state response website,” said MNIT Commissioner Tarek Tomes. “This dashboard sheds light on an important date to shape and promote the best possible results.”
From the summary stating that more than 144,000 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, who are being vaccinated – 2.6% of the Minnesota population at present. There is a county map showing Mahnomen and Olmstead County with the highest percentage of their population getting shot.
The dashboard provides more specific information about vaccination administration and distribution, how many doses have been sent to health care providers in the state (329,450), and how many total doses have been promised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (541,100).
“We are committed to making sure Minnesota residents know how many vaccines are coming to our state and how many of our neighbors get their injections when it is their turn,” said Minnesota health commissioner Jan Malcolm. “Transparency is a cornerstone of vaccine rollout. We’re excited to provide Minnesota with this vital information as the light gets brighter at the end of the tunnel. “
According to the dashboard, more than 152,000 vaccine doses were administered in the state on Jan. 9, with nearly 7,400 people completing the two-shot vaccine. The state has used about a third of its total doses.
“This dashboard provides minnesotans transparency and builds confidence that COVID-19 vaccine doses are consistently arriving in Minnesota and that shots are going into the arms of our health workers and most vulnerable family and friends,” said MNIT Commissioner Tarek Tomes. “It will help minnesotans visualize our progress in ending this pandemic for good.”
The data shows that vaccine doses administered have been increasing every week since mid-December. From 4,677 doses administered during the week of December 13 to 63,727 doses administered during the week of January 3. The data also shows the daily administrations of vaccines.
(credit: State of Minnesota)
Yet less than 0.1% of people in Minnesota have completed the series of vaccinations and less than 3% have had at least one injection.
“The vaccination data from COVID-19 can be used to track vaccination coverage at the state and county level and track progress toward national, state and local coverage goals. The data can also help identify at-risk populations and encourage public health actions and policies aimed at increasing immunization. The data cannot tell us why people are not vaccinated. Some people may not have direct access to the vaccine, and some people choose not to get vaccinated. Some people may also have received vaccinations that are not registered in MIIC, such as those vaccinated in another state, ”a dashboard reads.
The site also shows that 13% of people vaccinated are 65 or older, a percentage lower than in other states. It’s all part of the Phase 1A plan that health officials hope to complete from now on by the end of the month.
“In this first phase, we prioritized health workers and individuals in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities,” explains Kris Ehresmann, MDH Epidemiology Director. “We don’t stop vaccines. When we get 100 doses, we divide 100 doses. “
The federal government now directs states to vaccinate anyone 65 or older, but the guideline has raised many questions from the Minnesota Department of Health. There are no additional doses that fit that plan yet.
As the number of deaths from the coronavirus gets closer to 400,000 nationwide, the Trump administration unexpectedly announced on Tuesday that it will stop withholding second doses of vaccine. That practically doubles the offer. It’s the same approach President-elect Joe Biden announced Monday.
The CDC says nearly 9 million Americans received their first vaccine doses. That’s only about a third of the more than 25 million divided doses.
Click here to go to the dashboard.
MDH releases daily update on COVID-19
Minnesota health officials reported 1,335 more virus cases and 13 more deaths on Tuesday.
With the Minnesota Department of Heatlth’s daily update, the state is closely approaching 440,000 total reported COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic; 34,132 cases have been discovered among health professionals. About 418,610 people who contracted the virus have recovered enough to avoid isolating themselves from others.
The state’s death toll is now 5,724, with 3,660 of those deaths in long-term or assisted living facilities.
More than 29,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the last 24 hours. More than 3 million people in the state have been tested so far.