Dramatic climb in Hennepin County

What is going on in Hennepin County?

They reported 271 new positive results from COVID tests in the latest reporting period, as released today, July 11, by the Minnesota Department of Health. 

Minneapolis, the largest city in Hennepin County, has had a mask "order" since June 1.

The day before, they reported a number of 186, but today they had a number of 271. That's a whopping 46 percent increase.

Stearns County added 14 today. (This is down from 33 yesterday.)

Minnesota's overall number was 806 added, with four deaths...all four from long-term care facilities.

Testing: the state had a testing volume in this reporting period of 16,087. That brings a positive test rate of five percent.

Seven of eight

Seven of the eight COVID-19 deaths reported today in Minnesota were from long-term care facilities. Seven of the eight were in Hennepin (three) and Ramsey (four) counties.

For Stearns County, 30 new COVID cases were reported. This is in line with what's been reported this week.

Number of new COVID cases in Stearns County:

Monday, June 29 - 28

Tuesday, June 30 - 36

Wednesday, July 1 - 17

Thursday, July 2 - 25

Friday, July 3 - 30

Minnesota reported a statewide total of 423 new COVID cases today. That is on a large testing volume of 14,653. If you do the math on that, it brings a 2.8 percent positive case count, which is the lowest I've seen in the past two weeks.

Kandiyohi County reported four new COVID cases today. In Douglas County, they reported one new COVID case. 

Pope, Stevens, Swift and Todd counties all added no new COVID cases for the past 24-hour reporting period that ended at 4 p.m. yesterday.

Statewide, there are 270* COVID-19 patients currently in hospitals, 132 of them being treated in ICUs. This marks an increase from yesterday, when Minnesota reported 123 COVID patients being treated in ICU. 
*Total hospitalization was 274 yesterday.

Also, the Minnesota Department of Health is also reporting that 32,347 of the state's reported positive cases no longer need to self-isolate. So far in Minnesota, there have been approximately 645,172 completed tests since Jan. 20.

State hits a home run: mortgage payment relief

Often, and lately almost constantly, I've criticized state leaders in Minnesota. Here's a chance for me to share information on what I'll just call a "home run" that they have delivered for the citizens of the North Star state:

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Governor Tim Walz, and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan have announced a commitment by 31 Minnesota financial institutions to provide mortgage-relief options to customers facing financial hardship caused by COVID-19 for homeowners not covered by the CARES Act.

Under this framework, participating financial institutions have agreed to offer the following relief options:

• 90-day forbearance period for customers facing financial hardship caused by COVID-19
  Participating financial institutions will offer mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days to single- or multi-family mortgage customers directly impacted by COVID-19. The framework went into effect yesterday, July 1, 2020, so qualifying customers can begin applying for forbearance immediately. 
   
• Customers accessing forbearance will not be required to make a lump-sum payment at the end of forbearance plan
  Participating financial institutions will not require single-family customers who qualify for forbearance under this framework to make a lump-sum payment at the end of the forbearance plan. Instead these institutions will work with borrowers on repayment options, which may include:
  • Allowing customers to add the reduced or missed payments over the lifetime of their loans; or
  • Extending the maturity of the loan to make up for the missed payments.
     
• No late fees or negative credit reporting for customers in a forbearance plan
  For single-family customers who are in an active forbearance plan under this framework, the participating financial institutions will:
  • Freeze all mortgage-related late fees for missed payments; and
  • Not report late or missed payments with credit reporting agencies.

This framework was negotiated by Attorney General Ellison’s office and Governor Walz’s office, and was supported by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Minnesota Housing.

“In the next few weeks, we may see a dramatic increase in the number of foreclosures and evictions. I am very pleased to announce that these banks and credit unions across Minnesota are working together to try to mitigate the damage,” Attorney General Ellison said. “I thank each of the participating institutions for stepping up to the plate to help Minnesotans that are struggling because of COVID-19 and for recognizing that we are all better off when every Minnesotan has stable housing.”

“Minnesota families have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and banks across the state have been working with their customers to help find solutions,” said Governor Walz. “This initiative provides some added flexibility to Minnesotans who need help affording their mortgage payments during this unprecedented time.”

“The COVID-19 crisis falls hardest on Minnesotans who were already in crisis. For many low-income families or Minnesotans who have lost jobs or sources of income, their housing stability has been put at risk,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Mortgage relief is one way that we can provide some comfort and stability for those most impacted. I am thrilled that we can work in partnership to offer this relief.”

Andy Cecere, President and CEO of US Bancorp:
“I want to thank Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, and Attorney General Ellison for their leadership in these difficult times. At U.S. Bank, we are committed to serving our community and we have aided thousands of customers who are facing financial pressure due to the coronavirus. We remain committed to helping and encourage our customers needing assistance to contact us digitally or over the phone to find the best solution for their situation.”

Jeanne Crain, President and CEO of Bremer Financial Corporation:
“Bremer’s purpose is to cultivate thriving communities, and we have long recognized home stability as foundational to strong communities. We have provided financial assistance to our customers affected by COVID-19 over the past months, and we remain steadfast in our promise to help. I appreciate the Attorney General’s, the Governor’s, and the Lieutenant Governor’s attention to this important issue. Bremer is committed to supporting their efforts to help Minnesotans through these challenging times.”

Mark Cummins, President and CEO of the Minnesota Credit Union Network:
“As not-for-profit financial cooperatives, it’s part of our DNA to help consumers through tough times. Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Minnesota, the state’s credit unions have provided hundreds of thousands of their members relief from mortgages, auto loans, credit-card payments, and business loans. Minnesota Credit Unions are proud to participate in the Mortgage Forbearance Relief Framework and are committed to meeting the financial needs of consumers through this evolving situation.”

The provisions of the framework apply to loans serviced by participating financial institutions to the extent allowed by the applicable servicing framework with the owner and/or insurer of the loan. They do not apply to loans serviced by another bank and held in trust for which a bank may act as trustee.

Since the beginning of COVID-19, financial institutions across the state have been working directly with their customers to help find relief options. Customers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to reach out directly to their lender immediately to discuss what solutions may be available.  

This framework is similar to frameworks reached in California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and other states.

Hennepin and Ramsey counties, 10 COVID deaths

For the reporting period released on Thursday, July 2, the counties of Hennepin and Ramsey of Minnesota reported 10 deaths to the COVID-19 virus.

Three other deaths (one each) were reported from Dakota, Sherburne and Steele counties.

The state of Minnesota added an even 500 cases to the total case count on a testing volume of 13,505 tests from public and private labs. That makes a positive case testing rate of 3.7 percent.

Stearns County added 25 cases of COVID to the total, which is now 2,312. Yesterday, for July 1, Stearns County added 17 cases.  On Tuesday, June 30, Stearns County added 36 new COVID cases.

In terms of the 500 new COVID cases...for added context, here's the breakdown for the counties reporting double-digit cases today, with new case count and overall population:
Washington - 23 cases    (pop. 262,440)
Stearns - 25      (pop. 161,075)
Scott - 13       (pop. 149,013)
Ramsey - 54      (pop. 550,321)
Olmsted - 18       (pop. 158,293)
Hennepin - 161    (pop. 1,266,000)
Dakota - 31        (pop. 429,021)
Carver - 13        (pop. 105,089)
Blue Earth - 21     (pop. 67,653)
Anoka - 30        (pop. 356,921)

Sub-total =  3.5058 million of the state’s 5.64 million people (62 percent of the state’s population)

TOTAL CASES in these counties = 389 of 500 (78%) 

• Area counties adding no new COVID cases were Pope, Douglas and Todd counties. Kandiyohi County added one COVID case. Grant County added two new COVID cases. Swift County added one new COVID cases. 

MEANWHILE, it becomes clear we are losing sight of what is happening behind the scenes, which is not surprising. Here's a headline that just popped up: "Health Partners is eliminating at least 200 jobs as it closes clinics."

Hello! Earth to anyone with a brain! We are using the wrong approach if we are harming medical systems due to a lack of people utilizing the services of health care providers.

New COVID case counts for June 29

Stearns County has 28 new cases of COVID-19 for the reporting period of Monday, June 29.

No other area county (Todd, Douglas, Swift, Pope, Kandiyohi) reported any new COVID-19 cases.

The state of Minnesota reported 10 new COVID-19 deaths today. Also, a total of 315 new COVID cases were reported from across the state, including 98 in Hennepin County.

Hospitalization numbers from COVID infections continued the trend of decline in Minnesota. As of today, 278 are hospitalized and 140 are in ICU.

COVID case counts and updates for June 26

For Friday, June 26:

Stearns County has reported 15 new COVID-19 cases as of today. The total COVID case count for Stearns County is now 2,156.

Kandiyohi County added one new case. No new cases were reported out of Douglas, Pope and Swift counties.

The state of Minnesota reported five new COVID deaths, and all were in long-term care facilities. All five were residents of either Hennepin or Dakota counties.

Minnesota as a whole reported 493 new COVID-19 cases on a testing volume of 14,560 tests. That equates to a 3.4 percent positive rate on testing.

I'll end this blog post by paraphrasing something that President John F. Kennedy once said: "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be a stronger person."

COVID case count and updates for June 24

Stearns County, with a population of over 161,000 people, reported two new COVID-19 cases for the reporting day of Wednesday, June 24.

Kandiyohi, Swift, Pope and Douglas counties all reported no new COVID cases. Todd County reported two new cases of COVID.

No deaths were reported in all of the above-mentioned counties.

For the state of Minnesota, five additional deaths were reported, and all were in the Metro Area.

On a testing volume of 9,547 tests (those reported in a 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. on June 23), the state of Minnesota added 304 new COVID cases. This makes for a positive case count testing rate of 3.2 percent.

The total COVID case count in Minnesota is now 33,763 dating back to January 20, 2020.

Patients battling COVID who are in the hospital total 340. Of those patients, 160 are in ICU.

Science helping those afflicted with chronic diseases

The Monday, June 22 COVID case information in Minnesota shows:
 four deaths, between the ages of 60 and 89, and three in the Metro area and one in Olmsted County.

 308 new cases
 0 new cases in Kandiyohi County
 3 new cases in Stearns County
 0 new cases in Pope County
 0 new cases in Swift County

For Stearns County altogether this year, a total of 2,137 positive COVID cases have been reported with 19 deaths. That number is 560 for Kandiyohi County (one death). Swift County continues to hold at 20 COVID cases this year and one death, and Pope County remains at 10 cases with no deaths. Douglas County is at 54 cases and no deaths.

So far in June, a total of 344 Minnesotans have passed away from COVID, which is an average of between 15 and 16 per day.  On June 12, Minnesota reported 25 COVID deaths, but since that day, a total of 87 have passed away for an average of just under nine per day.

For hospitalizations, today, a total of 156 Minnesotans are in the ICU while battling COVID. This figure has continued to fall in the past week. It stood at 185 as recently as June 16.

American Innovation Helps Patients Beat Coronavirus

By Kenneth E. Thorpe

American scientists are working furiously to develop treatments for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

No group of patients needs a vaccine more than those with chronic conditions. Patients with just one chronic disease who contract COVID-19 are 80 percent more likely to experience a "poor outcome" -- like hospitalization or death -- than those without any chronic conditions, according to recent studies.

Fortunately for Americans living with chronic disease, the United States leads the world in medical innovation. As long as policymakers protect this innovation ecosystem, U.S. scientists will surely produce vaccines and treatments relatively quickly -- and keep our nation healthy through this crisis and for years to come.

Americans are rightly worried about COVID-19. More than 100,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 and more than two million have tested positive for the disease.

Patients with chronic diseases are particularly vulnerable. Forty percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients have some type of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Other chronic conditions -- like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer -- could make it harder for the body to fight the virus.

But our scientists will rise to this challenge and invent new therapies, just as they have countless times in the past. Heart disease death rates have declined 36 percent since 2000, largely thanks to new and better medicines. Similarly, cancer death rates have declined 27 percent since the 1990s.

Health gains like this come at a hefty price. It takes up to 15 years and $2.6 billion to develop just one new medicine. And only 12 percent of drugs that begin clinical trials ever make it to pharmacy shelves. Drug companies and their investors will only roll the dice on novel research projects if they have a chance of recouping their development losses and earning a return.

Because the United States fairly values medicines, scientists have a strong incentive to launch research projects here. All told, American firms develop half of the world's new medicines.

Researchers tend to flee countries whose governments arbitrarily cap prices of new medicines. Consider that in the 1970s, Europe produced more than half of the world's new medicines. But throughout the 1980s, many European countries imposed increasingly strict price controls on drugs. As a result, today Europe produces only 33 percent of all new drugs.

Unfortunately, some lawmakers want to implement similar price controls in the United States. A few members of Congress attempted to slip a price control into one of the first COVID-19 spending packages. The provision would have allowed the government to dictate the price of any COVID-19 vaccine that resulted from the emergency funding.

Congress wisely stripped out that provision, which would have discouraged investments into COVID-19 cures, vaccines, and therapies. Congress' decision is great news for every American hoping for a COVID-19 vaccine, especially those living with chronic disease.

COVID-19 poses an enormous threat to American society -- but our smartest scientists are already on the case. Let's hope our policymakers don't put any stumbling blocks along their path to a cure -- whether for coronavirus or any other dangerous disease.

Kenneth E. Thorpe is a professor of health policy at Emory University and chairman of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.

COVID case information: June 15, 2020

No ranting here, I am all out of rants for the time being. 

But I am happy to report that only 6 COVID deaths were reported today from Minnesota. 

And just 230 new cases on approximately 5,000 tests completed/reported. 

 Just ONE new COVID case in Stearns County (population 161,000) and one new COVID case in Swift County. The other counties in the Bonanza Valley Voice coverage area (Kandiyohi and Pope) reported no new COVID cases.

I'm still waiting for COVID's resurgence in Stearns County...it's been a month now, since the huge rally with hundreds (500+) people gathered close together outside Shady's Bar in downtown Albany. Why haven't we seen a huge uptick in western Stearns County?