Number of COVID-19 related deaths in Minnesota rises to 22; total number of cases rises to nearly 800

Health officials in Minnesota announced Friday that the total number of deaths due to COVID-19, or the coronavirus in the state has jumped from 18 to 22, while the total number of cases has risen to nearly 800.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 789 positive cases, compared to 742 on Thursday.  Mower County still has 15 confirmed cases, which is unchanged from Thursday. Olmsted County now has 76 cases, 10 more than were reported on Thursday.  Winona County still has 11 positive cases, Blue Earth and Dodge Counties each still have 10 cases, Fillmore County continues to report nine cases, Freeborn County saw its number of cases increase from five to seven, Steele and Wabasha Counties each still have six cases, and Waseca and Rice Counties each still have three cases.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 156 total cases requiring hospitalization, with 86 patients hospitalized as of Friday and 40 patients are being hospitalized in intensive care.  410 patients no longer need to be isolated, and the total approximate number of completed tests in Minnesota stands at 24,227 and counting.