MDH reports number of COVID-19 related deaths has risen to 485; number of positive cases climbs to over 8,500; Mower County again sees an increase in positive cases

Health officials in Minnesota announced Wednesday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to 485, while the total number of positive cases in the state has climbed to over 8,500.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 8,579 positive cases, which was up 728 from the 7,851 reported on Tuesday, and the 485 deaths due to the virus was up 30 from the 455 reported on Tuesday.  They added that 391 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in Minnesota have been from cases that resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities.  Mower County reported 35 positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday, up from 33 on Tuesday, and Olmsted County now has 322 cases, up nine from 313 reported on Tuesday.  Winona County remained at 68 cases Wednesday, Blue Earth County reported 53 cases, up from 51 on Tuesday, and Freeborn County saw its number of positive COVID-19 cases rise from 37 on Tuesday to 38 on Wednesday.  Rice County reported 30 cases for the second day in a row, Steele County saw its number of positive cases jump from 25 on Tuesday to 29 on Wednesday, Goodhue County remained at 23 and Dodge County stayed at 21.  Waseca County reported seven cases on Wednesday, up from six on Tuesday and Houston County continues to report one.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 1,405 total cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota, with 443 patients hospitalized as of Wednesday, and 180 patients were being treated in intensive care units.  1,146 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19, and 5,005 patients no longer need to be isolated.  The total approximate number of tests in Minnesota stands at 93,232 and counting.