MDH reports total number of COVID-19 related deaths rises over 600; total number of positive cases eclipses 12,000; Mower County stays at 45 cases

The Minnesota Department of Health announced Tuesday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to over 600, while the total number of positive cases in the state has eclipsed 12,000.

Health officials reported that the state now has a total of 12,494 positive cases, which was up 695 from the 11,799 reported on Monday, and the 614 deaths due to the virus was up 36 from the 591 reported on Monday.  They added that 501 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in Minnesota have been from cases that resided in long-term or assisted living facilities.  Mower County remained at 45 positive COVID-19 cases for the third day in a row Tuesday, while Olmsted County reported 378 cases, up four from 374 on Monday.  Rice County reported eight more cases Tuesday for a total of 134, Steele County again saw its number of positive cases rise from 67 on Monday to 73 on Tuesday, Winona County remained at 71 cases and Blue Earth County remained at 67.  Freeborn County stayed at 46 cases Tuesday, Dodge and Goodhue Counties both reported 26, Waseca County stayed at 16 cases Tuesday and Houston County continued to report two.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 1,799 total cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota, with 496 patients hospitalized as of Tuesday, and 199 patients were being treated in intensive care units.  1,436 healthcare workers in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19, and 8,223 patients no longer need to be isolated.  The total approximate number of tests in Minnesota now stands at 120,834 and counting.