 | Aaron Lavinsky | Star Tribune via AP
June 23, 2020
Health Dept. reports lowest COVID-19 death toll in over two months | |
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Good morning. It’s Tuesday and we’re focusing on the coronavirus in this update, after some quick weather.
Look out for afternoon storms. Aside from that, it’ll be nice. Twin Cities highs in the mid-70s with 10 to 15 mph winds. Statewide highs from the upper 60s to mid-70s. More on Updraft | Forecast
Intensive care cases and hospitalizations for COVID-19 again decreased slightly. In addition, the Health Department reported four deaths yesterday, the lowest such toll in more than two months.
Here are the latest coronavirus statistics:
- 33,227 cases confirmed (308 new) via 513,137 tests
- 1,384 deaths (4 new)
- 3,830 cases requiring hospitalization
- 332 people remain hospitalized; 156 in intensive care
- 29,065 patients no longer needing isolation
Minnesota health officials say they’re concerned by lower hospital visits for immunizations. They say it’s due to parents’ concerns about bringing their children to the doctor amid the pandemic. However, low vaccination rates can cause a disease like measles to spread. Health leaders also say emergency room visits for non-coronavirus issues are down, but that people should still visit the ER for serious conditions or if they believe they’re having a medical emergency like a heart attack.
Did deforestation play a role in COVID-19’s path to becoming a pandemic? It’s too soon to tell, but NPR reports that forest loss appears to be increasing the risk of pandemic diseases. Consider the Ebola outbreak that began a few years ago — that and over 20 other similar outbreaks have been linked to deforestation, largely caused by mining and logging operations.
Younger adults are making up an increasingly large portion of coronavirus infections. Some public health experts say it’s because younger folks believe they’re at less risk than older adults, so they’re going back to restaurants and other gathering spots more quickly. "This creates a reservoir of disease moving around in the population, simmering, if you will," said Judith Malmgren, an epidemiologist at the University of Washington. "This can spike to uncontrollable levels in more vulnerable adults very quickly."
While politicians and people continue sparring over mask-wearing, there is a correct answer. And it’s that masks are critical in preventing the spread of coronavirus, according to an analysis of 172 studies. "What this evidence supports is that, if there is a policy around using face masks in place, it does actually come with a fairly large effect," said study co-author Holger Schünemann, an epidemiologist at McMaster University.
Drinking has soared during the pandemic, even for people who haven’t had issues with it in the past. A bit of extra drinking once in a while isn’t a major issue, Dr. Sarah Johnson, medical director of Landmark Recovery, an addiction treatment program, told NPR. However, she said any issues with drinking affecting everyday life may signal a problem. Here are the other warning signs someone may be having issues with drinking.
- Major increases in alcohol consumption
- Family or friends expressing concern with the drinking
- Changes in sleep patterns, such as getting more or less sleep than normal
— Cody Nelson, MPR News | @codyleenelson |
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