Minnesota's First Omicron Patient: 'Get The Booster'

MINNEAPOLIS — Last week, Minneapolis resident Pete McGinn became the state's first confirmed case of the new COVID-19 variant known as omicron.

McGinn developed mild symptoms on Nov. 22 after he traveled to New York City for an anime convention at the Javits Center, which took place from Nov. 19-21.

McGinn went to get tested for COVID-19 on Nov. 24. His symptoms were resolved by the time the Minnesota Department of Health announced the news last week.

McGinn completed his initial vaccine series over six months ago and received a booster shot in early November. He credits the vaccine for keeping his symptoms mild.

"I do believe that the booster and getting the vaccine helps reduce the symptoms that I had," McGinn told the Star Tribune. "And I would definitely recommend anybody who, when they can, get the booster."

McGinn was the nation's second confirmed case of the new variant. Since then, dozens of other cases have been confirmed across the country.

Minnesota's COVID-19 surge continues

COVID-19 continues to circulate rapidly in Minnesota, leaving little to no room at the state's hospitals.

Only two adult ICU beds throughout all Twin Cities hospitals are available, according to state data.Only seven pediatric ICU beds are open in the metro. Meanwhile, daily death tolls are up as well. On Nov. 26, for example, 40 deaths were reported in one day.

As of Monday, nearly 70 percent of all Minnesotans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Also read: Graph Compares MN COVID-19 Death Rates Based On Vaccine Status