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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

MN Health Officials: COVID Variants Concerning Despite Vaccine Progress

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Friday, April 9, 2021   

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota officials say the state has reached a milestone in its vaccination efforts. But they're still urging people to remain cautions amid troubling signs.

The state announced this week it has eclipsed the three-million mark for COVID vaccinations administered. But the health department is seeing elevated case activity, including hospitalizations.

State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield said the race between vaccinations and COVID variants continues.

"Our message regarding the variants is that they are spreading," said Lynfield, "and we need to continue to be careful while more Minnesotans get vaccinated."

Health officials say they're keeping a close eye on the UK variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says is the most dominant strain in the U.S.

Minnesota has confirmed more than 1,500 cases of the UK variant, and officials say it's likely behind a large percentage of new infections. Lynfield added the state is adding lab capacity to closely monitor the new novel coronavirus strains.

State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said Minnesota isn't at the point yet of vaccine supply outpacing demand.

She said she also anticipates more recruitment efforts to convince everyone to get vaccinated. She said some folks, already eligible, have expressed mixed feelings about getting a shot.

"People were not saying that they would never take the vaccine, but they wanted more information," said Malcolm. "They wanted to see how the rollout went, what the experiences of other people were."

She suggested the public seems to want more reassurance about the safety of COVID vaccines. And while case activity and hospitalizations are on the upswing, Minnesota health officials say the latest wave hasn't resulted in a major spike in deaths.




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