There are 121 Nobles County persons who currently have COVID-19 infections within the 10-day isolation period, according to the data released Wednesday by the Nobles County COVID-19 Joint Information Team. That’s 30 more than the case count released Dec. 30.
“We start this new year with reported COVID numbers higher than they have been in quite some time,” Nobles County Emergency Management Director Tawn Hall said in a Wednesday press release. “The Omicron variant spreads very easily and quickly, so with the recent holiday festivities and get togethers, it is unsurprising the number of quarantine cases went up. However, the trend has been for the reported cases to be higher towards the end of the week. So, unfortunately it seems likely we will see an increase in the second report this week.”
Nobles County infection counts as reported Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Health were 5,562 total confirmations – 67 more than reported Dec. 30 – along with 5,385 cases that are past the 10-day isolation. There have been 56 COVID-related deaths in the county.
The 121 known, currently-infected residents fall into the following age ranges and are indicated along with the change from the previous report: birth-age 10, 19 (up two); 11-15, seven (up five); 16-19, four (down four); 20-25, 16 (up four); 26-50, 61 (up 22); 51-64, 11 (up two); and ages 65 and older, three (down one).
A third vaccine shot is now recommended to be administered for those who are immunocompromised. Also now available is a booster shot, which does not have to be the same vaccine brand as the original doses.
Area private-vaccine providers in Nobles County, all in Worthington, are Access Family Medical Clinic/Avera Medical Group, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Sanford Health, Sterling Drug and Walgreens.
Contact Nobles County Public Health at 295-5213 for more COVID-related information.
