MDH reports number of COVID-19 related deaths rises to 221; total positive cases now over 3,100

Health officials in Minnesota reported Friday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or cornonavirus has risen to 221, while the total number of cases has climbed to over 3,100.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 3,185 positive cases, an increase of 243 from the 2,942 reported on Thursday.  The 221 deaths due to the virus was up 21 from the 200 reported on Thursday, matching the largest one-day increase in deaths the state has seen since the start of the pandemic.  Mower County has 28 cases, up from 27 reported on Thursday, and Olmsted County reported 219 positive cases on Friday, up from 213 on Thursday.  Winona County reported 64 cases Friday, which was up from 62 reported on Thursday, and Freeborn County remained at 33 cases.  Blue Earth County reported 27 cases, which was up one from 26 reported on Thursday, and Goodhue County had 19 cases for the fourth day in a row.  Dodge County continued to report 18 cases on Friday, Fillmore County reported 12 cases for the second day in a row and Steele County now has 11 positive cases, up from 10 on Thursday.  Rice County saw its number of cases increase from eight to nine, Waseca County again reported three and Houston County continued to report one.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 756 total cases requiring hospitalization in Minnesota, with 278 patients hospitalized as of Friday, and 111 are being hospitalized in intensive care.  1,594 patients no longer need to be isolated, and the total approximate number of completed tests in Minnesota stands at 53,787 and counting.