by John McLoone

Dakota County has been averaging more than 300 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 a day in the last couple weeks as the pandemic surge affects the area, forcing schools to go virtual and Gov. Tim Waltz to act to place new restrictions as hospitals have expressed concern about capacity to treat Minnesotans with COVID-19.

The restrictions started Friday and applied to social gatherings, celebrations and receptions, as well as bars and restaurants. Waltz said those are the most significant sources of COVID-19 outbreaks across the state.

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“Since the beginning to this pandemic, we’ve asked Minnesotans to make unprecented sacrifices for the greater good, and they’ve done it. Because when times are tough, Minnesotans pull together,” said Gov. Waltz.

Social setting were targeted because research shows that the virus is being disproportionately spread by younger adults between the ages of 18-35. As a result, social settings which Waltz said attracts a younger crowd are the most significant sources of COVID-19 spread in the state. He pointed to statistics that 70 percent of all COVID-19 outbreaks in the state from June to November have a direct link to weddings, private social gathering and “late nights at bars and restaurants.”

Under the new rules, bars and restaurants must end dine-in service between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., and indoor capacity is capped at 150 people. Capacity can’t exceed 50 percent of the establishment’s total capacity. Bar counter service is closed for seating “These restrictions follow research that shows these environments become more risky later in the evening,” the statement from the governor’s office reads.

And, all social gatherings will have a 10-person limit, whether indoor or outdoor. All social gatherings also are limited to there households or less.

There will be no effect on religious services “since data has not shown a connection between religious services and the recent increase in outbreaks,” according to the governor’s office.

“Minnesota is in a dangerous phase of the pandemic with a dramatic jump in new cases,” said Commissioner of Health Jan Malcom. “We’ve seen in otherstates how bad things can get when you have this kind go growth.”

That growth in cases is evident in Dakota County.

As of Monday, Dakota County showed that there have been 14,491 positive cases of COVID-19, with 888 of those requiring hospitalization. There currently are 97 COVID-19 patients hospitalized. There have been 157 deaths where COVID-19 was a factor. The median age of those who have died is 83, and the media age of those contracting the virus is 38 in Dakota County.

In Hastings, there have been 571 confirmed cases, well behind the 2,431 that have been reported in Burnsville, which has the most county cases.