MDH reports number of COVID-19 related deaths now stands at 1,086; total number of positive cases eclipses 25,800; Mower County sees another double-digit increase 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 1,086, and the total number of positive cases in the state has risen to over 25,800.

Health officials indicated that the state now has a total of 25,870 positive cases, which was up 372 from the 25,508 reported on Tuesday, and the 1,086 deaths due to the virus was up 14 from 1,072 reported on Tuesday.  They added that 876 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 double-digit increase in its number of positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday with 366, 12 more than the 354 reported on Tuesday. Olmsted County reported 654 cases Wednesday, up four from 650 on Tuesday, and Rice County saw a double-digit increase in its number of positive cases Wednesday with 480, up 13 from 467 on Tuesday.  Steele County recorded 167 cases Wednesday, up three from 164 on Tuesday, Blue Earth County has 148 cases, up three from 145 on Tuesday and Freeborn County remained at 130 positive COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row.  Winona County recorded 80 cases for the third straight day, Goodhue County reported 70 cases, up one from 69 on Tuesday, Dodge County recorded 53 cases for the third day in a row on Wednesday and Waseca County now has 27 cases, up one from 26 on Tuesday.  Wabasha County remained at 18 cases Wednesday, Fillmore County still has 17 and Houston County is still reporting two.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 3,203 cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota,  with a total of 537 patients being hospitalized for the second straight day Wednesday, and 254 patients are being treated in intensive care units.  2,802 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19, and 21,169 patients no longer need to be isolated.  The total approximate number of COVID-19 tests administered thus far in Minnesota now stands at 265,718 and counting.