MPR News PM Update

Feb. 4, 2022

Key metrics tracking the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota continue to brighten. That includes numbers on COVID in Twin Cities wastewater, hospital and intensive care needs and the rate of tests coming back positive for the disease.

Collectively, the newest numbers paint a hopeful picture of a pandemic that — finally — may be in retreat following a late summer surge that exploded after the year-end holiday season, driven by COVID’s omicron mutation.

Three things to know about the latest data:

  • 1,260 hospitalized; 194 in ICU, one of the lowest points since September
  • New cases counts trending at lowest in three weeks
  • Data suggest Minnesota’s COVID-19 outbreak probably peaked several weeks ago, especially in the Twin Cities
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