Health Officials Push for Vaccinations Amid Possible COVID Surge

NIAID / CC

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-National health officials are warning of a potential fourth surge of COVID-19.  

In Minnesota, cases have begun to tick up, according to state health data. Last week, Minnesota surpassed the 5% positive case rate caution threshold and reported over 2,000 new infections for the first time since January.  

Winona Health President/CEO Rachelle Schultz says hospital and ICU numbers are rising, not as quickly as they were during the November Surge. “But the numbers are going up,” said Schultz.  

She said that’s why leaders are pushing residents to get the vaccine. “It’s just one more protector that we all have.”  

According to state data, updated late last week, nearly 20,000 Winona County residents have gotten at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine while over 12,000 people have gotten both doses.