MDH reports 1,236 COVID-19 deaths in the state, total number of positive cases nearing 29,000; Mower County sees another large spike in number of positive cases

The Minnesota Department of Health reported Wednesday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to 1,236, while the total number of positive cases in the state is nearing 29,000.

Health officials indicated that the state now has a total of 28,869 positive cases, which was up 352 from the 28,523 cases reported on Tuesday, and the 1,236 deaths due to the virus was up 19 from 1,217 on Tuesday.  They added that 984 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in Minnesota have been from cases that resided in long-term or assisted living facilities.  Mower County saw another large spike in its number of positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday with 574, up 37 from 537 on Tuesday.  Olmsted County reported 740 cases Wednesday, up 13 from 727 on Tuesday, Rice County saw only one additional case Wednesday with 594, up from 593 on Tuesday and Freeborn County now has 197 positive COVID-19 cases, up nine from 188 on Tuesday.  Steele County remained at 173 cases for the third straight day, Blue Earth County reported 154 cases Wednesday, up one from 153 Tuesday and Goodhue County recorded 86 cases Wednesday, up three from 83 on Tuesday.  Dodge County remained at 55 cases and Waseca County reported 32 cases for the second straight day.  Fillmore and Wabasha Counties each again reported 20 cases Wednesday and Houston County still has five.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 3,482 cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota, with a total of 427 patients being hospitalized as of Wednesday, and 193 patients  were being treated in intensive care units.  3,034 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19, and 24,675 patients no longer need to be isolated.  The total approximate number of COVID-19 tests administered thus far in Minnesota stands at 369,975 and counting.