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COVID virus levels rise in Minnesota wastewater plants
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the new coronavirus subvariant, JN.1, is causing about 20% of new infections in the U.S.
MINNEAPOLIS — Just in time for the holidays, COVID-19 cases are starting to rise again.
And now, there’s a warning about a new variant that’s currently the fastest growing strain of the virus called JN.1.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that it’s causing about 20% of new infections in this country, and it’s the fastest-growing strain of the virus.
The World Health Organization is also classifying it as a “variant of interest” and will step up its investigations that first started over the summer.
“But it’s truly been in the past few weeks that we’ve seen it take off in the U.S.,” said Hennepin Healthcare Dr. Hannah Lichstinn. “That’s also when we’ve been seeing cases in general go up locally.”
Dr. Lichstinn says tracking cases is also tougher as fewer people test for COVID, and if they do, it’s likely at home and not included in local data. That includes the Minnesota Department of Health that’s most recent trends show cases rising in every age group.
But it’s actually wastewater surveillance that’s really what experts will tell you is more reliable.
“What the wastewater data can tell us is a better sense of what’s actually going on in the community,” said Dr. Lichstinn.
In fact, the University of Minnesota wastewater dashboard monitors 38 treatment facilities across the state. Nearly all of them show double-digit increases in virus levels within just the last two weeks.
St. Cloud and Fergus Falls are two of the highest with a 120% increase.
“We tend to see that spike before we start to see the sick patients, so it really gives us a glimpse of what’s about to come,” said Dr. Lichstinn.
At least she says that the symptoms of the JN.1 appear to be the same as the virus’ other strains and it is just as preventable with a vaccine.
“I think this is a part of our lives and we can recognize now that it’s not going away,” said Dr. Lichstinn.
The CDC says only about 18% of people have gotten the latest COVID vaccine that was out this fall and waning immunity is likely contributing to rising cases, along with holiday travel.
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The chief was discussing the shooting of Davis Maturi, who for months had been contact with the MPD about escalating harassment from his neighbor, John Sawchak.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said his department “failed” after a man was shot, allegedly by his neighbor in the city.
“We failed this victim. 100%, because that should not have happened to him,” said O’Hara in a Sunday evening press conference.
The chief was discussing the shooting of Davis Moturi, who for months had been contact with the MPD about escalating harassment from his neighbor, John Sawchak.
Sawchak was charged with shooting Moturi as he was pruning a tree on his front yard on Oct. 23.
Moturi remains hospitalized with a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion.
O’Hara and the MPD came under a heavy attack from the Minneapolis City Council after it was revealed that the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office had charged Sawchak, but the MPD had not arrested him.
“MPD still has not arrested the suspect despite charges from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Stalking, and Harassment and a request from the HCAO for a warrant with $1 million bail. MPD told the HCAO they do not intend to execute the warrant ‘for reasons of officer safety,’” said the letter from the Minneapolis City Council.
“We failed to act urgently enough,” said O’Hara, before citing staffing concerns as a contributing factor.
It was a stark difference from the tone the chief initially took on Friday, then saying “If we wound up in a deadly situation, the headlines would read ‘MPD shot mentally ill person’.”
On Sunday, O’Hara said his previous comments were meant as a response to accusations that the MPD “didn’t care,” about the case.
“This is the result of over-politicizing policing in Minneapolis,” said O’Hara.
O’Hara stated that the MPD will, for the moment, continue waiting for Sawchak to exit his home to arrest him, but the chief added “We are running out of options before we have to escalate the matter.”
The heated back-and-forth between the city council and the chief continued earlier Sunday when Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski released a statement questioning O’Hara and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey actions in the matter.
“Our Chief of Police is hiding behind excuses, and our Mayor…is just hiding.” said Koski in the statement.
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