Total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Minnesota rises to 18; total number of cases rises above 700

Health officials in Minnesota announced Thursday that the total number of deaths due to COVID-19, or the coronavirus in the state has risen from 17 to 18, while the total number of cases has risen to over 700.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the state now has a total of 742 positive cases, compared to 689 on Wednesday.  Mower County now has 15 confirmed cases which is up from 14 reported on Wednesday. Olmsted County now has 66 cases, Winona County has 11 positive cases, Blue Earth and Dodge Counties each have 10 cases, Fillmore County has nine cases, Steele and Wabasha Counties each have six cases, Freeborn County has seen its number of cases increase from two to five, and Waseca and Rice Counties each have three cases.

The Department of Health reported that there are now 138 cases involving hospitalization, with 75 patients hospitalized as of Thursday and 38 patients are now being hospitalized in intensive care.  373 patients no longer need to be isolated, and the total approximate number of completed tests in Minnesota stands at 22,394 and counting.