With only a few hours to go through 2023, a new technique for dealing with COVID in Minnesota.
Dr. Beth Thielen, an infectious disease physician at M Health Fairview, says we’re getting data on how to treat COVID-19 in the future. “I think caution, but not panic, is what’s needed right now. “she explains. ” I think it’s probably a moderate time to think about moving more to a popular care style, and less to a centralized emergency vaccine delivery formula. “
One sign of this shift: the closure of the department’s COVID vaccination clinic at the Mall of America.
“One in 50 vaccines won in Minnesota comes from this site,” said Gov. Tim Walz.
Walz and outgoing Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm were on hand to see the last 236,000 people vaccinated.
She says the COVID vaccines being delivered are becoming, from giant public clinics to pharmacies and healthcare providers.
Malcolm also notes that state-run sites will remain open for a few more weeks before closing.
“We’ve noticed that the volume provided at sites like this is coming down pretty steadily,” Malcolm told reporters. “There are now many vaccines available. This has been a wonderful and convenient site, but the good news is that it is very easy to locate vaccines in our pharmacies and fitness systems.
The strain of COVID discovered in the subway is also changing.
Data from the Metropolitan Council indicates that the most recent wastewater tests show that BQ. 1, a subvariant of omicron, accounts for 63% of the virus entering the Metro plant, and its trend is upward.
“Is this worrying? Because I think it has implications for immunity from vaccines and for the treatments we choose. “
She says the medical network has been BQ. 1 since November.
Thielen explains that when a virus strain is combined with a vaccine, coverage is better.
But she is convinced that the new bivalent vaccines are effective, even when there is no coincidence.
“We’ve actually noticed this pandemic,” Thielen says. We’ve noticed some degree of coverage against the disease, even with incompatible viruses, and yet we’re seeing pretty smart vaccine coverage against severe disease. “
Walz says Minnesota will continue to advertise COVID vaccines during the transition to personal sector providers.
He adds that we are not done with COVID, but it moves to a “more endemic state. “
He suggested Minnesotans get vaccinated.
“Please get your reinforcements,” the governor said. These vaccines are amazing. They can be adapted to the variants that exist.
All this, as the U. S. As the U. S. government imposes new air restrictions from China, it now faces a surge of COVID.
The CDC says that starting Jan. 5, those over the age of two will want to provide a negative COVID test.
Dr. Zeke McKinney, a physician at Healthpartners, says it’s not just about COVID.
He issues that influenza and RSV are higher this year.
Now is the time, he says, to let our guard down.
“I think other people still want to be cautious when it comes to traveling and meeting,” McKinney advises. “I think other people still want to be diligent and informed of the classes we’ve received from COVID. Keeping your hands clean, wearing a mask when you are sick, or generally when you faint, would be a good idea.
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