More than 700 12- to 15-year-olds in the north-central Minnesota region rolled up their sleeves to receive the COVID-19 vaccine since the age group became eligible earlier this month.
They’re among the 60,711 young teens across the state with at least one dose as of Sunday, May 23, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Health, representing 21% of all 12- to 15-year-olds. The health department updated its vaccine data portal to include this new age group, given the go-ahead for vaccination under emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
A total of 723 young teenagers in Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties are counted among those at least partially vaccinated. Reflecting other vaccination data, however, the percentage of youths in that age group who’ve received the shot lags well behind the state as a whole. Aitkin County reports the highest percentage thus far with 10%, with Cass and Crow Wing counties each reporting 9%. Todd County — which sits at second to last of Minnesota’s 87 counties in terms of the vaccinated proportion of its population — reports a 3% rate among 12- to 15-year-olds.
Reports of new cases are remaining low in the region and state. The total number of active cases in Crow Wing County dropped to 103 as of Tuesday, based on county data.
A Cass County resident between the ages of 70 and 74 was among those reported Tuesday to have died due to complications of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 data as of May 25
Aitkin — 1,367 with 36 deaths; 7,140 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, representing 54% of the county’s 12-plus population.
Cass — 2,810 with 32 deaths; 10,619 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, 46%.
Crow Wing — 6,740, with 92 deaths; 26,051 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, 52%.
Mille Lacs — 3,096, with 54 deaths; 10,322 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, 54%.
Morrison — 4,219, with 60 deaths; 11,012 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, 43%.
Todd — 2,844, with 32 deaths; 7,143 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, 37%.
Wadena — 1,588, with 22 deaths; 4,730 residents who’ve completed the vaccine series, 45%.
NOTE: These numbers are cumulative since March 21, 2020, and many are out of isolation.
