MDH reports total number of COVID-19 related deaths climbs to 663; total number of positive cases rises above 13,000; Mower County with two more positive cases for a total of 50

The Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to 663, while the total number of positive cases in the state have now eclipsed 13,000.  

Health officials reported that the state now has a total of 13,435 positive cases, which was up 523 from the 12,917 reported on Wednesday, and the 663 deaths due to the virus was up 25 from the 638 reported on Wednesday. They added that 537 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in Minnesota have been from cases that resided in long-term or assisted living facilities.  Mower County reported two more positive COVID-19 cases Thursday for a total of 50, while Olmsted County reported 399 cases, up 14 from 385 on Wednesday.  Rice County saw its number of positive cases rise sharply again from 153 on Wednesday to 181 on Thursday, and Steele County reported 85 cases Thursday, up eight from 77 reported on Wednesday.  Winona County has 74 cases, up from 72 reported on Wednesday and Blue Earth County reported 71 cases Thursday, up from 69 on Wednesday.  Freeborn County saw its number of positive COVID-19 cases rise from 47 on Wednesday to 52 on Thursday, Goodhue County reported 29 cases, up from 27 on Wednesday and Dodge County had 28 cases Thursday, up from 26 on Wednesday.  Waseca County remained at 18 cases Thursday and Houston County continued to report two.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 1,915 total cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota, with 498 patients hospitalized as of Thursday, and 203 patients were being hospitalized in intensive care units.  1,605 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19, and 9,136 patients no longer need to be hospitalized.  The total approximate number of tests in Minnesota now stands at 128,752 and counting.