16 COVID-19 deaths, 1,715 new infections reported in Minnesota

• The latest counts in Minnesota's third significant wave of COVID-19 activity bring the state's tolls in the pandemic to 6,978 deaths and 547,101 known SARS-CoV-2 infections. State health officials said they are hoping to see some sign of leveling off in the latest wave amid vaccination progress — with more than 2.1 million Minnesotas having received COVID-19 vaccine and more than 1.4 million completing the one- or two-dose series.