MDH reports total number of COVID-19 related deaths rises to 371; total number of positive cases soars past 5,700

Health officials in Minnesota announced on Friday that the total number of deaths due to the COVID-19, or coronavirus has risen to 371, while the total number of positive cases has risen past 5,700.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 5,730 positive cases, an increase of 594 from the 5,136 reported on Wednesday.  The increase in positive cases is the largest one-day total since the start of the pandemic, and the 371 COVID-19 related deaths were up 28 from the 343 reported on Thursday.  Mower County again reported 28 positive COVID-19 cases on Friday, while Olmsted County had 269 cases, which was up from 265 reported on Thursday.  Winona County remained at 66 cases, Blue Earth County stayed at 38 cases Friday and Freeborn County now has 35 positive cases, up from 34 on Thursday.  Dodge County now has 22 cases, up from 21 on Thursday, Goodhue County again had 19 cases on Friday and Steele County now has 18 cases, up from 16 on Thursday.  Rice County remained at 14 cases, Waseca County again reported four on Friday and Houston County continues to report one.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 1,096 total cases involving hospitalization in Minnesota, with 369 patients hospitalized as of Friday, and 118 patients were being treated in intensive care units.  2,282 patients no longer need to be isolated, and the total approximate number of completed tests in Minnesota stands at 74,829 and counting.