Counties with the lowest hospital bed capacity in Minnesota
The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.
Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death ratesâ€"especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.
The United States as of Feb. 24 reached 942,985 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 78.7 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.8% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 43.4% have received booster doses.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the lowest in-patient bed capacity in Minnesota using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and vaccination data from Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the percent of in-patient hospital beds filled as of Feb. 23, with the percent of hospital beds filled by COVID-19 patients serving as a tiebreaker. Hospitalization data was available for about 77% of counties in the U.S. Keep reading to see what hospital capacity looks like in your county.
#50. Koochiching County, MN
--- 44.2% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 147 (18 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.1% (7,103 fully vaccinated)
--- -14.6% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#49. Wilkin County, MN
--- 41.6% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 387 (24 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (3,326 fully vaccinated)
--- -21.2% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#48. Lac qui Parle County, MN
--- 39.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 257 (17 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.0% (3,844 fully vaccinated)
--- -14.7% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#47. Meeker County, MN
--- 37.7% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 168 (39 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.6% (11,049 fully vaccinated)
--- -30.0% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#46. Murray County, MN
--- 35.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 146 (12 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: not available
#45. Winona County, MN
--- 35.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 57.0% (11.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 30.5% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 283 (143 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.2% (32,393 fully vaccinated)
--- -5.6% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#44. Brown County, MN
--- 33.8% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 80 (20 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.3% (16,329 fully vaccinated)
--- -4.0% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#43. Otter Tail County, MN
--- 31.2% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 61.0% (17.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 25.6% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 233 (137 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.1% (29,408 fully vaccinated)
--- -26.3% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#42. Itasca County, MN
--- 31.2% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 86.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 211 (95 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (25,242 fully vaccinated)
--- -17.8% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#41. Martin County, MN
--- 31.2% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 259 (51 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (10,783 fully vaccinated)
--- -19.4% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#40. Pennington County, MN
--- 29.9% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 234 (33 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (7,486 fully vaccinated)
--- -22.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#39. McLeod County, MN
--- 29.9% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 9.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 89.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 240 (86 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.3% (20,565 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.7% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#38. Watonwan County, MN
--- 28.6% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 367 (40 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.7% (6,290 fully vaccinated)
--- -15.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#37. Morrison County, MN
--- 27.3% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 10.0% (5.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 87.8% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 198 (66 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (16,225 fully vaccinated)
--- -28.5% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#36. Rock County, MN
--- 26.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 100.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 22.0% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 86 (8 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: not available
#35. Mille Lacs County, MN
--- 26.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 160 (42 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.9% (14,957 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.3% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#34. Aitkin County, MN
--- 24.7% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 60.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 26.8% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 170 (27 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.2% (9,253 fully vaccinated)
--- -14.4% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#33. Pine County, MN
--- 15.6% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 172 (51 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (14,270 fully vaccinated)
--- -29.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#32. Goodhue County, MN
--- 14.3% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 199 (92 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.9% (30,531 fully vaccinated)
--- -3.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#31. Grant County, MN
--- 13.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 50 (3 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: not available
#30. Sherburne County, MN
--- 11.7% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 79.0% (7.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 3.7% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 123 (120 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.4% (44,107 fully vaccinated)
--- -33.2% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#29. Roseau County, MN
--- 7.8% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 178 (27 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (7,718 fully vaccinated)
--- -25.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#28. Redwood County, MN
--- 7.8% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 132 (20 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (8,104 fully vaccinated)
--- -21.5% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#27. Carver County, MN
--- 6.5% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 45.0% (21.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 45.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 147 (155 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.6% (69,988 fully vaccinated)
--- -2.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#26. Kanabec County, MN
--- 5.2% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 38.0% (5.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 53.7% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 122 (20 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.3% (6,916 fully vaccinated)
--- -37.8% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#25. Faribault County, MN
--- 3.9% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 50.0% (50.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 39.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 139 (19 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.8% (7,749 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.5% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#24. St. Louis County, MN
--- 3.9% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 73.0% (18.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 269 (536 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.9% (131,134 fully vaccinated)
--- -3.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#23. Wabasha County, MN
--- 3.9% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 282 (61 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 72.6% (15,696 fully vaccinated)
--- 6.8% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#22. Beltrami County, MN
--- 2.6% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 86.0% (60.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 212 (100 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.9% (31,091 fully vaccinated)
--- -3.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#21. Douglas County, MN
--- 0.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 52.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 36.6% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 178 (68 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.8% (21,659 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.5% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#20. Olmsted County, MN
--- 0.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 67.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 18.3% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 207 (327 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 76.0% (120,369 fully vaccinated)
--- 11.8% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#19. Freeborn County, MN
--- 1.3% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 68.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 17.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 215 (65 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (17,183 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.6% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#18. Chisago County, MN
--- 3.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 63.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 23.2% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 210 (119 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (32,095 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.6% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#17. Becker County, MN
--- 6.5% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 79.0% (21.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 3.7% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 334 (115 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (18,430 fully vaccinated)
--- -21.3% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#16. Todd County, MN
--- 7.8% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 0.0% (0.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 100.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 268 (66 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.3% (10,430 fully vaccinated)
--- -37.8% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#15. Blue Earth County, MN
--- 7.8% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 73.0% (14.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 11.0% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 250 (169 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.9% (40,549 fully vaccinated)
--- -11.9% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#14. Washington County, MN
--- 9.1% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 77.0% (2.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 6.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 145 (380 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 69.6% (182,544 fully vaccinated)
--- 2.4% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#13. Kandiyohi County, MN
--- 10.4% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 45.0% (23.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 45.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 271 (117 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (23,025 fully vaccinated)
--- -21.6% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#12. Rice County, MN
--- 14.3% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 142 (95 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.3% (41,703 fully vaccinated)
--- -8.4% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#11. Crow Wing County, MN
--- 16.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 54.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 34.1% more availability than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 197 (128 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (36,368 fully vaccinated)
--- -17.8% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#10. Dakota County, MN
--- 16.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 90.0% (6.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 9.8% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 152 (650 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 68.6% (294,331 fully vaccinated)
--- 0.9% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#9. Scott County, MN
--- 16.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 136 (203 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 68.7% (102,339 fully vaccinated)
--- 1.0% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#8. Hennepin County, MN
--- 18.2% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 86.0% (16.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 140 (1,771 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 73.0% (924,309 fully vaccinated)
--- 7.4% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#7. Anoka County, MN
--- 18.2% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 100.0% (28.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 22.0% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 129 (461 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (208,363 fully vaccinated)
--- -14.1% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#6. Wright County, MN
--- 19.5% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 159 (220 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (74,905 fully vaccinated)
--- -20.4% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#5. Waseca County, MN
--- 23.4% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 172 (32 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.5% (10,516 fully vaccinated)
--- -16.9% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#4. Stearns County, MN
--- 26.0% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 94.0% (24.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 14.6% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 172 (277 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.0% (93,399 fully vaccinated)
--- -14.7% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#3. Ramsey County, MN
--- 28.6% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: 86.0% (12.0% by COVID-19 patients)
--- 4.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 145 (799 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 70.4% (387,618 fully vaccinated)
--- 3.5% higher vaccination rate than Minnesota
#2. Steele County, MN
--- 28.6% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 180 (66 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.2% (22,061 fully vaccinated)
--- -11.5% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota
#1. Isanti County, MN
--- 29.9% more full than Minnesota overall
- ICU beds occupied: data not available
--- 82% full in Minnesota overall
- Cases per 100k in last 7 days: 118 (48 cases)
- Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.4% (17,199 fully vaccinated)
--- -37.6% lower vaccination rate than Minnesota