Benton County's case rate puts it in the CDC's medium category for community level of COVID-19

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Benton County is considered to have a medium community level of COVID-19, while Sherburne and Stearns counties have low COVID levels in the community, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One indicator the CDC uses includes the number of cases per 100,000 people. Medium and high levels include counties with more than 200 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days. The latest data was measured from July 7-13.

Sherburne County had 139.86 cases per 100,000 people during this time frame, Stearns County had 165.76 per 100,000 and Benton County had 254.35, according to the CDC. For communities with a medium COVID-19 community level, the CDC recommends individuals at high risk for severe illness talk to their healthcare provider about whether they need to wear a mask or take other measures.

However, Benton County's seven-day total of new COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 people and percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients were less than 10 (3.2) and 10% (3.1%), respectively, and therefore the community level is considered medium rather than high.

Benton County's seven-day test positivity rate through Tuesday was 25.67% (meaning that, of the COVID-19 tests administered, 25.67% came back positive). Over the same time period, Sherburne County's seven-day test positivity rate was 8.99% and Stearns County's was 11.09%.

As of Thursday, the CDC reported Benton County had 104 total cases of COVID-19, Sherburne County had 136 and Stearns County had 267 total cases.

Community transmission is considered high in all three counties, according to the CDC.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that among Benton County residents, 57.8% of residents age 5 and older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose; in Sherburne County, 59%; and in Stearns County, 61.4%. Statewide, 75.4% of Minnesotans age 5 or older have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

MDH now updates state COVID information weekly on Thursdays, with data as of the prior Tuesday. Previously, MDH posted state COVID data five days a week and classified cases and deaths by age and county.

On the new COVID dashboard, Minnesotans can look at trends related to state hospitalization rates and hospital capacity, COVID exposure in child care, school, long-term care, correctional facilities and high risk congregate living settings, COVID case rates by age, sex, race and ethnicity, vaccine rates by county and age, vaccine breakthrough data, COVID mortality rates over time, by age, county, sex, race and ethnicity, rates of COVID-19 in wastewater and rates of emergency room visits for people with COVID or influenza-like symptoms.

Since the pandemic began, there have been more than 561.48 million cases and almost 6.37 million deaths worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The U.S. has reported almost 89.46 million cases and more than 1.02 million deaths.

Find a vaccine clinic near you by visiting https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/index.jsp.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Benton County has highest COVID-19 case rate among St. Cloud counties