MDH reports 179 COVID-19 related deaths; total number of positive cases rises above 2,700, Mower County with 27 cases

Health officials in Minnesota reported Wednesday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to 179, while the total number of cases in the state now totals more than 2,700.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 2,721 positive cases, an increase of 154 from 2,567 reported on Tuesday.  The 179 deaths due to the virus was up 19 from the 160 reported on Tuesday.  Mower County is now reporting 27 cases of COVID-19, up from 26 cases on Tuesday, and Olmsted County has eclipsed 200 cases with 204 reported Wednesday, up from 197 on Tuesday.  Winona County remained at 61 cases, while Freeborn County remained at 33 cases for the third day in a row.  Blue Earth County reported 26 cases Wednesday, which was up from 24 reported on Tuesday, and Goodhue County reported 19 cases for the second day in a row.  Dodge County remained at 18 cases of COVID-19, Fillmore County is still reporting 11 and Steele County reported ten cases Wednesday, which was up from nine on Tuesday.  Rice County again reported seven cases, Waseca County is still reporting three and Houston County continued to report one.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 660 total cases requiring hospitalization in Minnesota, with 240 patients hospitalized as of Wednesday, and 107 patients are being treated in intensive care.  1,317 patients no longer need to be isolated, and the total approximate number of completed tests in Minnesota stands at 49,344 and counting.