Number of COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota rises to 17; total number of cases nears 700

Health officials in Minnesota announced Wednesday that the total number of deaths due to COVID-19, or the coronavirus in the state has risen from 12 to 17, while the total number of cases has climbed to near 700.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 689 positive cases of the virus, compared to 629 on Tuesday.  Mower County now has 14 confirmed cases, which is up from 13 reported on Tuesday. Freeborn County is reporting its first two positive cases, while Olmsted County saw its number of confirmed cases jump from 53 on Tuesday to 61 on Wednesday.  Winona and Dodge Counties each have ten confirmed cases, Blue Earth County has nine cases, Fillmore County has eight cases, Wabasha and Steele Counties each are reporting six positive cases, Rice County has four cases and Waseca County still has three.

The Department of Health reported that there are 122 total cases requiring hospitalization, with 54 patients hospitalized as of Wednesday and 27 patients are now being hospitalized in intensive care.  342 patients no longer need to be isolated, and the total approximate number of completed tests in Minnesota stands at 21,191 and counting.