Minnesota is experiencing a steep rise in COVID-19 cases, due most likely to the omicron variant of the disease. The number of cases, the percentage of positive test results, the number of hospitalizations all indicate that we are in a peak period for the disease.

While hospitalizations are rising, the good news is that the number of intensive care cases is starting to drop

More good news comes from the Mayo Clinic, which has developed a model tracking the omicron variant, using data from other states which experienced steep climbs earlier than Minnesota. Those states saw a sharp increase in cases, but then a sharp decline as well.

The Mayo Clinic model indicates that Minnesota’s peak may come as early as Jan. 26, at which point new cases will start to decrease.

We can’t all hold our breath that long, so it is important to keep protecting ourselves. Wear masks around other people, maintain social distance, wash hands frequently and sanitize your spaces. And, of course, vaccinations are important in protecting us from more serious illness if we do become infected.