REGIONAL- As COVID indicators continue to tick upward, the new boosters from Moderna and Pfizer recently authorized by the Centers for Disease Control for anyone over the age of six months have started rolling out in the North Country.
Appointments for free COVID booster shots are now available through Walgreens and CVS pharmacies in Virginia, although Walgreens won’t be scheduling appointments for children under 12 until Sept. 29. The cost of the vaccines is covered either through private health insurance or through the federal government’s Bridge Access Program for adults. A representative from Scenic Rivers Health Services in Cook told the Timberjay that they would have more information about COVID booster availability early this week. A representative of Essentia Health-Ely also said they would have more information this week.
It is anticipated that the current increase in COVID indicators and anecdotal reports of COVID cases may drive increased interest in the booster shots, although past history suggests overall uptake will be low. Minnesota has a better track record than most states with booster updates, ranking fifth in the country overall and fourth among those 65 and older. Still, only about one in four Minnesotans are up to date with last fall’s booster, including seven out of ten people over the age of 65. Booster uptake is lowest among children under age 18.
According to the CDC, two Minnesota counties, Otter Tail and Grant, had their community COVID level rating elevated to moderate from low this past week, indicating hospitalization rates of over 10 per 100,000. North Dakota, which was low statewide last week saw seven counties move into the moderate range. The current surge remains most prevalent in the southeast U.S., with Florida leading the way in COVID hospitalizations.
COVID indicators for St. Louis County were mixed, with hospitalizations dropping to five. Yet, the COVID viral load in wastewater measures in northeast Minnesota, including St. Louis County, increased by 563 percent in August. Last week’s increase of 13 percent may be an indicator that the COVID load has plateaued.
Statewide, hospitalizations continued their steady but slow creep upward from midsummer lows. Minnesota averaged 23 new admissions for COVID every day last week. That’s up from six per day in late June.
Three-quarters of the cases genetically sequenced by the state have been caused by one of the XBB variants of the Omicron virus, including XBB.1.5, the primary target for formulation of the new booster shots. A newer variant of the virus, EG.5, accounted for 23 percent of cases. That mirrors the prevalence of EG.5 nationwide, as the CDC continues to track more than 30 variants of the COVID virus.
A research summary reported by MPR News last week suggests that the new booster is much more effective against COVID than last year’s booster and should provide immunity for emerging strains of the virus as well as XBB.1.5. Immunity from infection has been shown to be short-lived, generally a few months, but boosters have been shown to protect against contracting severe illness that can lead to hospitalization and death.
Free COVID test kits are still available and can be ordered online at https://www.covid.gov/tests or https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites/athome.html.