MDH reports two additional COVID-19 related deaths in Mower County for a total of 15; four more positive COVID-19 cases recorded for a cumulative total of 1,494

The Minnesota Department of Health has now reported over 126,500 positive COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

Health officials reported 1,082 positive tests Wednesday, bringing the cumulative statewide total  to 126,591.  The 1,082 positive tests marked the 12th straight day with 1,000 or more positive tests in the state in a single day.  Health officials added that 12,903 healthcare workers in the state have now tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began. More than 113,100 people were reported as no longer needing isolation.

Mower County reported two additional COVID-19 related deaths Wednesday, bringing the county’s total to 15 since the start of the pandemic.  Pam Kellogg, Mower County Community Health Division Manager reported that one of the persons who passed away was from 85-89 years of age, while the other was from 95-99 years of age.  Mower County also reported 1,476 confirmed and 18 probable COVID-19 cases Wednesday for a cumulative total of 1,494, up four from Tuesday.  Kellogg went on to state that COVID-19 cases amongst residents and staff at Sacred Heart Care Care Center in Austin remain a concern, as the state Emergency Operations Center recently sent staff to the facility, and National Guard personnel consisting of a registered nurse and four medical techs who had also been dispatched to the facility will continue their work there until Friday.  Kellogg added that there have also been COVID-19 cases diagnosed at the Cedars of Austin and St. Mark’s, and she also indicated that there are approximately 45 active cases currently in the county.  Olmsted County now has 3,125 cumulative cases, up 37 from Wednesday, Steele County reported 733 cases, up nine from Tuesday and Freeborn County now has 647 cumulative COVID-19 cases, up nine from Tuesday.  Dodge County recorded 370 cases Wednesday, up four from Tuesday and Fillmore County reported 241 cumulative cases Wednesday, up three from Tuesday.

Minnesota’s death toll from the coronavirus jumped by 35 Wednesday to 2,281 since the pandemic began, and health officials reported that 1,608 COVID-19 related deaths thus far in the state have been from cases that resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities.  

A total of 9,147 patients in Minnesota have required hospitalization since the pandemic began, and 2,473 of those patients have required treatment in intensive care units.