BROWN COUNTY — For the second week in a row, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Brown County remained below 60.

This could mark a downturn in county case numbers, but Brown County Public Health is warning positive cases could be higher. Public Health’s Facebook page listed new laboratory cases at 56, but notes at-home tests are unreported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Brown County Public Health Director Karen Mortiz said the home COVID tests have sold fast in Brown County over the holiday season. It is impossible to know how many of these tests were positive. Due to the Christmas holiday, many testing sites were closed and some tests were likely delayed. For this reason, the confirmed case count is believed to be lower.

December 2021 did see a drop in case numbers. Less than 300 cases were reported in December compared to the 418 reported in November. However, the at-home tests could be skewing the data.

Another unknown facing Brown County is the presence of the Omicron variant in Brown County. Moritz said MDH is not necessarily sequencing each positive case. Omicron hit Minnesota in November and following holiday travels, the probability of it reaching Brown County is high.

Though the true number of new cases is unknown, one hopeful statistic is hospitalizations. In Minnesota, hospitalizations have begun to stabilize. According to MDH, the number of available ICU beds has increased statewide. This could be evidence COVID cases are decreasing in Minnesota.

Public Health continues to encourage vaccination as the best way to prevent infections. People experiencing breakthrough COVID cases are less likely to need hospitalization than those who are not vaccinated.

In Brown County, 67.6% of residents 5 and older have received at least the first vaccine dose with 82.6% of residents 18 and older have received at least the first dose. Moritz said the county continues to fill booster clinics.

Public Health is also encouraging flu vaccines as influenza cases are being the pickup. The flu shots are available at most local pharmacies and clinics.