MDH reports total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Minnesota now stands at 967; total number of positive cases nears 23,000; Mower County sees yet another double digit increase in number of positive cases

The Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to 967, while the total number of positive cases in the state is nearing 23,000.

Health officials reported that the state now has a total of 22,947 positive cases, which was up 493 from the 22,464 cases reported on Wednesday, and the 967 deaths due to the virus was up 35 from the 932 reported on Wednesday, marking the largest one-day death total in Minnesota since the start of the pandemic.  They added that 787 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in Minnesota have been from cases that resided in long-term or assisted living facilities.  Mower County saw yet another double-digit increase in its number of positive cases Thursday with 231, up 15 from 216 reported on Wednesday.  Olmsted County has 582 cases, up seven from the 575 recorded on Wednesday and Rice County again saw a double digit increase in its number of positive cases Thursday with 423, up 12 from 411 on Wednesday.  Steele County recorded 149 cases Thursday, up only one from 148 on Wednesday, Blue Earth County now has 126 cases, up four from 122 on Wednesday and Freeborn County now has over 100 positive COVID-19 cases with 102, up five from the 97 cases recorded on Wednesday.  Winona County remained at 78 cases Thursday, Goodhue County recorded 60 cases for the second day in a row and Dodge County remained at 46 cases  for the third day in a row Thursday.  Waseca County climbed back to 25 cases Thursday, up one from 24 on Wednesday, Wabasha and Fillmore Counties each again recorded 17 cases Thursday and Houston County is still reporting two.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 2,880 cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota with 606 patients hospitalized as of Thursday, and 242 patients were being treated in intensive care units.  2,549 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for coronavirus, and 16,665 patients no longer need to be isolated.  The total approximate number of COVID-19 tests administered in Minnesota now stands at 225,208 and counting.