STD Statistics - 2020

Summary

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, STDs remained at near historic high levels with 33,252 STD cases reported in 2020 compared to 33,725 cases in 2019 – a 1% decrease.

• Chlamydia, remained the number one reported STD in the state with 21,942 cases reported. Cases decreased by 11% compared to 24,453 cases in 2019. This is the first time chlamydia rates have decreased since 2009.
  • The majority (62%) occurred in teens and young adults ages 15 to 24.
  • One out of every three cases occurred in Greater Minnesota, with four or more cases reported in every county.
• Gonorrhea remained the second most reported STD in Minnesota with 10,217 cases reported in 2020, a 27% increase.
  • 41% of all gonorrhea cases occurred among 15 to 24 year-olds and almost three-quarters (74%) of the cases occurred in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• Syphilis cases overall decreased 3% with 1,093 cases in 2020. Despite an overall decline in all syphilis stages, early, more symptomatic stages increased 8% in 2020 compared to 2019.
  • New infections continued to be centered within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and among males, particularly among men who have sex with men.
  • However, the presence of syphilis among females, especially those who are pregnant or of child-bearing age, is of concern.
  • Primary and secondary syphilis cases increased by 8% with 416 cases in 2020 compared to 385 in 2019. The largest concentration of cases seen among males - particularly men who have sex with men.
  • Seven cases of congenital syphilis in infants were reported in 2020. This is a 67% decrease from 2019, when Minnesota reported 21 congenital syphilis cases, the highest rate reported in the state's history.

Data Release Webinar

• With audio narration: STD 2020 Data Release (PPT with audio)
• No audio narration: STD 2020 Data Release (PPT)

Surveillance Report

• STD Surveillance Report, 2020 (PPT)
  A series of graphs, maps and text that describe the STD epidemic in Minnesota over time.

Data Tables

• STD Surveillance Report Data Tables, Minnesota 2020 (PDF)