MDH reports total number of COVID-19 related deaths has climbed over 800; total number of positive cases now over 18,000; Mower County with 87 cases

The Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has climbed above 800, while the total number of positive cases in the state has eclipsed 18,000.

Health officials reported that the state now has a total of 18,200 cases, which was up 539 from the 17,670 reported on Wednesday, and the 809 deaths due to the virus was up 32 from the 777 reported on Wednesday.  They added that 663 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in Minnesota have been from cases that resided in long-term or assisted living facilities.  Mower County saw its number of positive cases climb again to 87 Thursday, up nine from the 78 cases reported Wednesday, while Olmsted County has 493 cases, up from 488 on Wednesday.  Rice County again saw a double-digit increase in its number of positive COVID-19 cases with 307 reported on Thursday, up 12 from the 295 reported on Wednesday, and Steele County saw its number of positive cases jump from 116 Wednesday to 122 on Thursday.  Winona County again reported 75 cases Thursday, Freeborn County now has 73 cases, up six from the 67 reported on Wednesday, Dodge and Goodhue Counties each reported 40 cases Thursday and Waseca County reported 22 for the second day in a row.  Fillmore County again reported 17 cases on Thursday, Wabasha County still has 16 and Houston County is still reporting two.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 2,380 cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota, with 566 patients hospitalized as of Thursday, and 229 patients were being treated in intensive care units.  2,120 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19, and 12,488 patients no longer need to be isolated.  The total approximate number of COVID-19 tests administered in Minnesota now stands at 173,556 and counting.