Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 18, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 387 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state, the highest for Minnesota in the last week, for a total of 31,675 confirmed cases since testing began Jan. 20.
Of the state’s 31,675 confirmed cases, 27,566 no longer need to be in isolation. Additionally, the state reported 19 deaths. To date, 1,344 people have died from COVID-19, 1,064 of which were in congregate care facilities.
The Minnesota Department of Education today released guidelines that details three models for students returning to school in the fall: a standard in-person model, a distance learning model and a hybrid model.
“As we look ahead to the next school year, the health and safety of our students will continue to be our No. 1 priority,” said Heather Mueller, Minnesota Department of Education deputy commissioner.
The model deployed by school districts, after having submitted contingency plans to the education department, will rely on guidance from the department of education by July 27 so schools have ample time to prepare, Mueller said.
The in-person learning model is the model most familiar to students. Although there is no hard and fast 6-foot social distancing requirement, school staff and students are encouraged to keep as much distance between themselves as is reasonable throughout the day, according to the guidelines. If the coronavirus continues on the path it is now, stabilizing or showing improvement, this is the model the state will implement.
If essential coronavirus metrics worsen, no students will return in the fall and school districts will continue with distance learning similar to how it was implemented prior to summer break. Schools will still be able to open only for emergency child care or other similar functions.
Hybrid learning, which includes a mix of in-person and distance learning, combines the two models but with more restrictions, including strict social distancing and capacity limits. Under this model, according to the guideline document, schools will have to limit the overall number of people in school facilities and on transportation vehicles to 50% maximum capacity. Social distancing of 6 feet will be required at all times, and if it is not feasible, the number of people in that setting will have to be reduced. Schools also have to plan for contactless pickup and delivery for meals and school materials.
Hybrid learning will be implemented if the coronavirus metrics worsen at the local, regional or statewide level, or if a school experiences clusters of cases.
Mueller said MDE wants school districts to spend a lot of time on their contingency plans to make sure students and staff are safe, and she knows school districts in Minnesota are capable of handling the task.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (13)
•          Anoka (1,810)(94)
•          Becker (49)
•          Beltrami (23)
•          Benton (198)(3)
•          Big Stone (14)
•          Blue Earth (172)(2)
•          Brown (22)(2)
•          Carlton (81)
•          Carver (285)(2)
•          Cass (12)(2)
•          Chippewa (62)(1)
•          Chisago (81)(1)
•          Clay (516)(37)
•          Clearwater (6)
•          Cook (1)
•          Cottonwood (115)
•          Crow Wing (92)(10)
•          Dakota (1,805)(76)
•          Dodge (61)
•          Douglas (53)
•          Faribault (32)
•          Fillmore (22)(1)
•          Freeborn (240)
•          Goodhue (98)(7)
•          Grant (6)
•          Hennepin (10,512)(732)
•          Houston (8)
•          Hubbard (5)
•          Isanti (51)
•          Itasca (59)(12)
•          Jackson (50)
•          Kanabec (13)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (553)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (4)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (53)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (250)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (147)(5)
•          McLeod (58)
•          Meeker (50)(1)
•          Mille Lacs (28)(1)
•          Morrison (54)(1)
•          Mower (744)(2)
•          Murray (44)
•          Nicollet (98)(12)
•          Nobles (1,621)(6)
•          Norman (18)
•          Olmsted (832)(13)
•          Otter Tail (83)(1)
•          Pennington (52)
•          Pine (96)
•          Pipestone (14)
•          Polk (67)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (4,128)(205)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (12)
•          Renville (12)
•          Rice (733)(4)
•          Rock (26)
•          Roseau (6)
•          Scott (551)(4)
•          Sherburne (271)(3)
•          Sibley (27)(2)
•          St. Louis (129)(14)
•          Stearns (2,122)(19)
•          Steele (181)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (20)(1)
•          Todd (381)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (24)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (35)
•          Washington (833)(37)
•          Watonwan (115)
•          Wilkin (18) (3)
•          Winona (91) (15)
•          Wright (391)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (11)
•          Unknown/missing (58)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 17, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 419 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the state for a total of 31,296 confirmed cases since testing began Jan. 20.
Yet, the data is skewed with a portion of those 400-some new cases coming from previous days of testing at an external laboratory. MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm explained the surge of test results was due to a backlog of testing ability and spans from last Friday to Monday. 
“What we report to the media and public are test results each day,” Malcolm said. “When we look at the epidemiology analysis, the curve is constructed by the date the samples were collected, not processed. The data on the website is correct, and overall, it looks like the general pattern is a continuation of gradual decline.”
             Of the state’s 31,296 confirmed cases, 27,404 no longer need to be in isolation.
            Additionally, the state reported 12 deaths. To date, 1,325 people have died from COVID-19, 1,051 of which were in congregate care facilities.
            Yesterday, the state received 1,960 vials of Remdesivir – the approved drug used to shorten the recovery time of critically ill COVID-19 patients. 
            “When Remdesivir is available, everyone is grateful,” said Kris Ehresmann, MDH Infectious Disease Division Director. “Not receiving it for two weeks was not ideal. There is a demand for it.”
            The pattern of the pandemic is holding steady in Minnesota with new infections decreasing, hospital stays remaining consistent and deaths also decreasing. However, with recent large-group gatherings and the reopening of economies, state officials are hesitant to draw conclusions on progress.
            “We’ll continue to monitor things in the next week,” Ehresmann said. “We are pleased and grateful of the plateau and decline in case numbers we’re seeing. But, we want more data before we do the happy dance completely.”     
                                               
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (13)
•          Anoka (1,786)(91)
•          Becker (49)
•          Beltrami (23)
•          Benton (195)(3)
•          Big Stone (14)
•          Blue Earth (169)(2)
•          Brown (20)(2)
•          Carlton (81)
•          Carver (278)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (58)(1)
•          Chisago (81)(1)
•          Clay (512)(37)
•          Clearwater (6)
•          Cook (1)
•          Cottonwood (115)
•          Crow Wing (91)(10)
•          Dakota (1,776)(74)
•          Dodge (61)
•          Douglas (51)
•          Faribault (30)
•          Fillmore (20)(1)
•          Freeborn (235)
•          Goodhue (97)(7)
•          Grant (6)
•          Hennepin (10,415)(727)
•          Houston (7)
•          Hubbard (5)
•          Isanti (50)
•          Itasca (59)(12)
•          Jackson (48)
•          Kanabec (13)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (552)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (4)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (53)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (229)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (147)(5)
•          McLeod (56)
•          Meeker (50)(1)
•          Mille Lacs (28)(1)
•          Morrison (54)(1)
•          Mower (733)(2)
•          Murray (43)
•          Nicollet (95)(11)
•          Nobles (1,620)(6)
•          Norman (18)
•          Olmsted (810)(12)
•          Otter Tail (83)(1)
•          Pennington (51)
•          Pine (96)
•          Pipestone (14)
•          Polk (67)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (4,079)(199)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (12)
•          Renville (12)
•          Rice (701)(3)
•          Rock (25)
•          Roseau (6)
•          Scott (546)(4)
•          Sherburne (272)(3)
•          Sibley (26)(2)
•          St. Louis (127)(14)
•          Stearns (2,111)(19)
•          Steele (179)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (20)(1)
•          Todd (379)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (24)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (34)
•          Washington (826)(37)
•          Watonwan (108)
•          Wilkin (15) (3)
•          Winona (89) (15)
•          Wright (390)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (10)
•          Unknown/missing (59)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 16, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health reported another day of decline in new COVID-19 cases with 197 confirmed cases today. The state now has 30,882 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since testing began Jan. 20. Of those cases, 27,006 no longer need to be in isolation.
            Additionally, the state reported nine deaths. To date, 1,313 people have died from COVID-19, 1,041 of which were in congregate care facilities.
                                               
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (13)
•          Anoka (1,770)(90)
•          Becker (50)
•          Beltrami (23)
•          Benton (193)(3)
•          Big Stone (13)
•          Blue Earth (164)(2)
•          Brown (20)(2)
•          Carlton (80)
•          Carver (276)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (57)(1)
•          Chisago (80)(1)
•          Clay (506)(37)
•          Clearwater (5)
•          Cook (1)
•          Cottonwood (111)
•          Crow Wing (90)(10)
•          Dakota (1,758)(74)
•          Dodge (59)
•          Douglas (48)
•          Faribault (28)
•          Fillmore (20)(1)
•          Freeborn (222)
•          Goodhue (94)(7)
•          Grant (6)
•          Hennepin (10,323)(724)
•          Houston (5)
•          Hubbard (5)
•          Isanti (50)
•          Itasca (59)(12)
•          Jackson (48)
•          Kanabec (13)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (548)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (2)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (52)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (222)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (147)(5)
•          McLeod (54)
•          Meeker (50)
•          Mille Lacs (28)(1)
•          Morrison (54)
•          Mower (661)(2)
•          Murray (43)
•          Nicollet (95)(11)
•          Nobles (1,620)(6)
•          Norman (17)
•          Olmsted (781)(12)
•          Otter Tail (83)(1)
•          Pennington (51)
•          Pine (96)
•          Pipestone (14)
•          Polk (67)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (4,033)(192)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (12)
•          Renville (12)
•          Rice (697)(3)
•          Rock (25)
•          Roseau (6)
•          Scott (541)(4)
•          Sherburne (270)(2)
•          Sibley (25)(2)
•          St. Louis (124)(14)
•          Stearns (2,109)(19)
•          Steele (175)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (20)(1)
•          Todd (375)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (21)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (34)
•          Washington (802)(37)
•          Watonwan (99)
•          Wilkin (15) (3)
•          Winona (85) (15)
•          Wright (383)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (11)
•          Unknown/missing (55)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 15, 2020)

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 15, 2020)
            The Minnesota Department of Health reported the state’s third day of decline in new COVID-19 cases with 230 confirmed cases today. The last time the case growth was this low was reported back in late April, said MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm.
            The state now has 30,693 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since testing began Jan. 20. Of those cases, 26,609 no longer need to be in isolation.
            Additionally, the state reported six deaths, the lowest since the beginning of April. To date, 1,304 people have died from COVID-19, 1,034 of which were in congregate care facilities.
            As more individuals have been tested, the state has noticed a decline in the test positivity rate, from 4.3% to 3.5%.
            “This is a really critical metric … and it’s heading in the right direction,” Malcolm said. 
            Community testing will still be available this week, first accommodating those on the waiting list for the last community testing events.
            The state has also established guidelines for congregate care facilities to use in developing policies for window visits.
            “During the visit, you will be required to wear a cloth mask and follow social distance guidelines,” said Kris Ehresmann, infectious disease division director. “We know connecting with loved ones is important and we want to be able to do it in a way that does not put this high risk group at greater risk.”
            Those guidelines are available online, but people should contact facilities to learn about their specific policy and scheduling a visit. 
                                               
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (13)
•          Anoka (1,760)(90)
•          Becker (50)
•          Beltrami (23)
•          Benton (193)(3)
•          Big Stone (13)
•          Blue Earth (163)(2)
•          Brown (19)(2)
•          Carlton (80)
•          Carver (271)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (56)(1)
•          Chisago (80)(1)
•          Clay (506)(36)
•          Clearwater (5)
•          Cook (1)
•          Cottonwood (110)
•          Crow Wing (90)(9)
•          Dakota (1,730)(74)
•          Dodge (59)
•          Douglas (48)
•          Faribault (27)
•          Fillmore (20)(1)
•          Freeborn (220)
•          Goodhue (94)(7)
•          Grant (6)
•          Hennepin (10,281)(720)
•          Houston (5)
•          Hubbard (5)
•          Isanti (50)
•          Itasca (59)(12)
•          Jackson (48)
•          Kanabec (13)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (546)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (52)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (214)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (143)(5)
•          McLeod (54)
•          Meeker (50)
•          Mille Lacs (28)(1)
•          Morrison (54)
•          Mower (651)(2)
•          Murray (43)
•          Nicollet (95)(11)
•          Nobles (1,620)(6)
•          Norman (17)
•          Olmsted (778)(12)
•          Otter Tail (83)(1)
•          Pennington (51)
•          Pine (96)
•          Pipestone (14)
•          Polk (67)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (3,992)(190)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (10)
•          Renville (12)
•          Rice (694)(3)
•          Rock (25)
•          Roseau (6)
•          Scott (536)(4)
•          Sherburne (267)(2)
•          Sibley (25)(2)
•          St. Louis (123)(14)
•          Stearns (2,108)(19)
•          Steele (175)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (20)(1)
•          Todd (373)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (21)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (33)
•          Washington (799)(37)
•          Watonwan (98)
•          Wilkin (15) (3)
•          Winona (84) (15)
•          Wright (378)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (10)
•          Unknown/missing (56)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.






 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 13, 2020)

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 394 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 30,172. There were nine new deaths reported, making the state total 1,283. Of those deaths, 1,019 were from long-term care facilities.
            To date, 25,620 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
                                   
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (13)
•          Anoka (1,716)(88)
•          Becker (49)
•          Beltrami (21)
•          Benton (190)(3)
•          Big Stone (13)
•          Blue Earth (161)(1)
•          Brown (19)(2)
•          Carlton (80)
•          Carver (269)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (55)(1)
•          Chisago (78)(1)
•          Clay (507)(36)
•          Clearwater (3)
•          Cook (1)
•          Cottonwood (104)
•          Crow Wing (90)(9)
•          Dakota (1,682)(73)
•          Dodge (59)
•          Douglas (49)
•          Faribault (26)
•          Fillmore (20)(1)
•          Freeborn (218)
•          Goodhue (93)(7)
•          Grant (6)
•          Hennepin (10,069)(712)
•          Houston (5)
•          Hubbard (5)
•          Isanti (49)
•          Itasca (58)(12)
•          Jackson (46)
•          Kanabec (13)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (544)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (52)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (199)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (143)(5)
•          McLeod (54)
•          Meeker (49)
•          Mille Lacs (28)(1)
•          Morrison (54)
•          Mower (640)(2)
•          Murray (43)
•          Nicollet (95)(11)
•          Nobles (1,618)(6)
•          Norman (17)
•          Olmsted (775)(12)
•          Otter Tail (83)(1)
•          Pennington (50)
•          Pine (95)
•          Pipestone (15)
•          Polk (67)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (3,882)(182)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (10)
•          Renville (11)
•          Rice (688)(3)
•          Rock (23)
•          Roseau (6)
•          Scott (526)(4)
•          Sherburne (267)(2)
•          Sibley (25)
•          St. Louis (123)(14)
•          Stearns (2,100)(18)
•          Steele (175)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (19)(1)
•          Todd (372)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (21)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (33)
•          Washington (787)(37)
•          Watonwan (98)
•          Wilkin (14) (3)
•          Winona (84) (15)
•          Wright (375)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (9)
•          Unknown/missing (57)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 12, 2020)

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 490 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 27,795. There were 25 new deaths reported, making the state total 1,274. Of those deaths, 1,015 are from long-term care facilities.
            To date, 25,028 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
            “This was the third day of increasing case counts after four days of declining new cases,” said Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner. “We’ve seen this pattern in the past couple of months now. We’re anxiously awaiting data over the next few days to see if the pattern will continue or shift in an important way.”
            Minnesota’s most critical cases are improving since the state saw its peak number of cases a few weeks ago.
            “The total people hospitalized today is currently almost 200 people less than the high point of hospitalizations,” Malcolm said. “There are also 70 fewer people in the intensive care unit than at our high point.”
            As surrounding states have reopened, and Minnesota has turned the dial toward full reopening, state health officials are carefully watching the COVID-19 case load.
            Currently, Minnesota’s indicators of the virus’s impact in communities as dials are adjusted have been neutral or slightly positive.
            “The more people follow this guidance (of social distancing, wearing a mask and getting tested if symptoms develops), the better chance we have to reopen economically and socially,” said Kris Ehresmann, MDH Infectious Disease Division Director. “The fewer people who follow the guidance, the less chance we have.”
            As the state reopens, MDH is working with organizations to establish guidelines for nursing homes and long-term care facilities that would allow for visitors.
            “The separation has been heartbreaking because of this outbreak,” Ehresmann said. “We still must maintain the right balance of limiting visitors to keep COVID-19 out of facilities.”
            The state is reviewing criteria – such as access to personal protective equipment, ample staff and testing, a solution for source control and local hospital bed capacity – to determine guidelines for reopening these facilities to visitors.
            Over the course of the outbreak, the growth in the number of new facilities with outbreaks has slowed significantly, Ehresmann said.
            “Only 57% of facilities with outbreaks have had only one or two new case per day, of those, 52% are no longer experience an active outbreak,” she said. “That means there’s been no infectious outbreak for 28 days, or two incubation periods of the virus.”
            The state has reported 9% of long-term care facilities with an outbreak have had more than 20 cases to date.
            In response to mass gatherings that occurred over the last few weeks, MDH is continuing to offer free testing. All testing locations and information about each site across the state is available online.
                       
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (13)
•          Anoka (1,691)(88)
•          Becker (47)
•          Beltrami (21)
•          Benton (190)(3)
•          Big Stone (12)
•          Blue Earth (159)(1)
•          Brown (18)(2)
•          Carlton (80)
•          Carver (268)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (55)(1)
•          Chisago (77)(1)
•          Clay (503)(36)
•          Clearwater (3)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (101)
•          Crow Wing (88)(9)
•          Dakota (1,648)(72)
•          Dodge (58)
•          Douglas (49)
•          Faribault (25)
•          Fillmore (20)(1)
•          Freeborn (217)
•          Goodhue (92)(7)
•          Grant (6)
•          Hennepin (9,934)(708)
•          Houston (5)
•          Hubbard (5)
•          Isanti (48)
•          Itasca (58)(12)
•          Jackson (43)
•          Kanabec (13)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (541)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (51)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (183)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (143)(5)
•          McLeod (52)
•          Meeker (49)
•          Mille Lacs (26)(1)
•          Morrison (54)
•          Mower (638)(2)
•          Murray (42)
•          Nicollet (95)(11)
•          Nobles (1,607)(6)
•          Norman (17)
•          Olmsted (765)(12)
•          Otter Tail (80)(1)
•          Pennington (50)
•          Pine (95)
•          Pipestone (15)
•          Polk (67)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (3,813)(180)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (10)
•          Renville (9)
•          Rice (685)(3)
•          Rock (23)
•          Roseau (6)
•          Scott (525)(4)
•          Sherburne (262)(2)
•          Sibley (25)
•          St. Louis (123)(14)
•          Stearns (2,096)(17)
•          Steele (175)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (19)(1)
•          Todd (371)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (21)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (33)
•          Washington (766)(36)
•          Watonwan (96)
•          Wilkin (12) (3)
•          Winona (84) (15)
•          Wright (372)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (8)
•          Unknown/missing (65)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 11, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 453 new positive cases of COVID-19 June 11 for a total of 29,316 confirmed cases across the state and 13 newly reported deaths. Approximately 381,841 tests have been completed across the state since Jan. 20, 2020.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (13)
·       Anoka (1,674)(88)
·       Becker (45)
·       Beltrami (21)
·       Benton (190)(3)
·       Big Stone (13)
·       Blue Earth (157)(1)
·       Brown (18)(2)
·       Carlton (79)
·       Carver (266)(2)
·       Cass (11)
·       Chippewa (54)
·       Chisago (74)(1)
·       Clay (499)(31)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (96)
·       Crow Wing (88)(9)
·       Dakota (1,623)(72)
·       Dodge (57)
·       Douglas (48)
·       Faribault (25)
·       Fillmore (20)(1)
·       Freeborn (200)
·       Goodhue (86)(7)
·       Grant (6)
·       Hennepin (9,815)(700)
·       Houston (5)
·       Isanti (48)
·       Itasca (58)
·       Jackson (43)
·       Kanabec (13)
·       Kandiyohi (540)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (9)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (50)
·       Lincoln (6)
·       Lyon (174)(2)
·       Mahnomen (6)
·       Marshall (12)
·       Martin (143)(5)
·       McLeod (52)
·       Meeker (50)
·       Mille Lacs (26)(1)
·       Morrison (53)(10
·       Mower (604)
·       Murray (42)
·       Nicollet (93)(11)
·       Nobles (1,602)(6)
·       Norman (17)
·       Olmsted (752)(12)
·       Otter Tail (80)
·       Pennington (37)
·       Pine (95)
·       Pipestone (15)
·       Polk (67)
·       Pope (10)
·       Ramsey (3,740)(169)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (8)
·       Renville (8)
·       Rice (604)(3)
·       Rock (23)
·       Roseau (6)
·       Scott (517)(4)
·       Sherburne (261)(2)
·       Sibley (25)
·       St. Louis (123)(14)
·       Stearns (2,088)(17)
·       Steele (173)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (19)(1)
·       Todd (368)(2)
·       Traverse (5)
·       Wabasha (20)
·       Wadena (10)
·       Waseca (32)
·       Washington (748)(36)
·       Watonwan (86)
·       Wilkin (12)(3)
·       Winona (84)(15)
·       Wright (367)(2)
·       Yellow Medicine (8)
·       Unknown/missing (83)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 9, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 307 newly positive cases of COVID-19 June 9 for a total of 28,523 confirmed cases across the state and 1,217 deaths. There are currently less than 200 people in the intensive care unit.Approximately 360,991 patients have been tested in the state of Minnesota.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (13)
  • Anoka (1,627)(85)
  • Becker (45)
  • Beltrami (21)
  • Benton (190)(3)
  • Big Stone (12)
  • Blue Earth (153)(1)
  • Brown (17)(2)
  • Carlton (78)
  • Carver (257)(2)
  • Cass (12)(2)
  • Chippewa (53)(1)
  • Chisago (70)(1)
  • Clay (481)(30)
  • Clearwater (3)
  • Cottonwood (94)
  • Crow Wing (86)
  • Dakota (1,554)(70)
  • Dodge (55)
  • Douglas (48)
  • Faribault (25)
  • Fillmore (20)(1)
  • Freeborn (188)
  • Goodhue (83)
  • Grant (5)
  • Hennepin (9,567)(686)
  • Houston (5)
  • Isanti (43)
  • Itasca (57)(11)
  • Jackson (42)
  • Kanabec (12)
  • Kandiyohi (526)(1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (9)
  • Lac qui Parle (3)
  • Lake (1)
  • Le Sueur (50)(1)
  • Lincoln (6)
  • Lyon (145)(2)
  • Mahnomen (6)(1)
  • Marshall (12)
  • Martin (142)(5)
  • McLeod (45)
  • Meeker (47)
  • Mille Lacs (24)(1)
  • Morrison (51)
  • Mower (537)(2)
  • Murray (41)
  • Nicollet (91)(11)
  • Nobles (1,597)(5)
  • Norman (16)
  • Olmsted (727)(12)
  • Otter Tail (78)
  • Pennington (37)
  • Pine (94)
  • Pipestone (14)
  • Polk (67)
  • Pope (10)
  • Ramsey (3,626)(164)
  • Red Lake (4)
  • Redwood (8)
  • Renville (8)
  • Rice (593)(3)
  • Rock (23)
  • Roseau (5)
  • Scott (496)(2)
  • Sherburne (261)(2)
  • Sibley (19)
  • St. Louis (119)(14)
  • Stearns (2,076)(17)
  • Steele (173)
  • Stevens (1)
  • Swift (19)(1)
  • Todd (361)(2)
  • Traverse (5)
  • Wabasha (20)
  • Wadena (10)
  • Waseca (32)
  • Washington (732)(36)
  • Watonwan (84)
  • Wilkin (11) (3)
  • Winona (85)(15)
  • Wright (361)(2)
  • Yellow Medicine (7)
  • Unknown/missing (86)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 8, 2020)

 The Minnesota Department of Health announced 338 newly positive cases of COVID-19 June 8 for a total of 28,224 confirmed cases across the state.
            Of those cases, 13,615 are males and 14,067 are females; the remainder are unknown. Minnesota’s total death count due to COVID-19 is currently 1,097.
The state conducted over 10,000 tests on Sunday which was the fourth straight day they were able to achieve that. As of Sunday, there were 452 patients currently in the hospital and 198 of those were in the intensive care unit. The number of patients in the ICU decreased over the past five day as well.
Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann updated the public on changes that will be occurring in the coming two weeks.
Beginning Wednesday, June 10, restaurant and bar services will be able to open at 50% capacity with a 250 person limit and places of worship will be able to hold services at 50% capacity.
Athletic programs around the state have taken steps to get players back on the fields which Malcolm views as an encouraging sign.
“We feel positively about the fact that we have been able to make some really significant progress in getting both youth and adults back into the sports that they love,” Malcolm said. “We have turned the dial to allow for more activity and more people as safely as possible. Different sports carry different risks for COVID-19 transmission. Depending on how close people are as they are playing the sport, whether there is contact among them, whether they share equipment and other factors. We arrived at the low, medium and high sports risk categories for various sports by closely consulting guidance from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic organizations, the NCAA and other stakeholders.”
Malcolm said she is hopeful that if the COVID-19 health measures continue to improve, the state will be able to potentially have medium risk sports back by the end of June.
As for the continued protests regarding the death of George Floyd, Malcolm reiterated that anyone who has been a part of them should seek testing even if they are not showing symptoms.
“There will be three [testing] sites in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul and our community partners are working to finalize details and we will be getting that out to communities locally,” Malcolm said. “Our goal is to create these sites in some of the neighborhoods that were most affected by these large gatherings.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (12)
  • Anoka (1,616)(84)
  • Becker (44)
  • Beltrami (21)
  • Benton (188)(3)
  • Big Stone (12_
  • Blue Earth (152)
  • Brown (17)(2)
  • Carlton (78)
  • Carver (254)(2)
  • Cass (12)(2)
  • Chippewa (52)(1)
  • Chisago (70)(1)
  • Clay (469)(30)
  • Clearwater (3)
  • Cottonwood (92)
  • Crow Wing (85)(6)
  • Dakota (1,523)(65)
  • Dodge (55)
  • Douglas (48)
  • Faribault (24)
  • Fillmore (20)(1)
  • Freeborn (185)
  • Goodhue (79)(7)
  • Grant (5)
  • Hennepin (9,480)(681)
  • Houston (4)
  • Isanti (41)
  • Itasca (56)(11)
  • Jackson (42)
  • Kanabec (12)(1)
  • Kandiyohi (522)(1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (9)
  • Lac qui Parle (3)
  • Lake (1)
  • Le Sueur (49)(1)
  • Lincoln (6)
  • Lyon (144)(2)
  • Mahnomen (6)(1)
  • Marshall (12)
  • Martin (140)(5)
  • McLeod (44)
  • Meeker (47)
  • Mille Lacs (24)(1)
  • Morrison (51)
  • Mower (524)(2)
  • Murray (41)
  • Nicollet (90)(11)
  • Nobles (1,597)(5)
  • Norman (16)
  • Olmsted (722)(12)
  • Otter Tail (77)(1)
  • Pennington (36)
  • Pine (93)
  • Pipestone (14)
  • Polk (64)
  • Pope (10)
  • Ramsey (3,552)(158)
  • Red Lake (4)
  • Redwood (8)
  • Renville (8)
  • Rice (587)(3)
  • Rock (23)
  • Roseau (5)
  • Scott (493)(2)
  • Sherburne (257)(2)
  • Sibley (19)
  • St. Louis (119)(14)
  • Stearns (2,071)(16)
  • Steele (173)
  • Stevens (1)
  • Swift (19)
  • Todd (38)
  • Traverse (5)
  • Wabasha (20)
  • Wadena (10)
  • Waseca (30)
  • Washington (731)(37)
  • Watonwan (83)
  • Wilkin (11) (3)
  • Winona (85)(15)
  • Wright (361)(2)
  • Yellow Medicine (7)
  • Unknown/missing (88)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.



 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 6, 2020)
 

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 526 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 27,501. There were 22 new deaths reported, making the state total 1,170. Of those deaths, 936 were from long-term care facilities.
            To date, 22,253 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
           
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (12)
•          Anoka (1,555)(81)
•          Becker (44)
•          Beltrami (20)
•          Benton (187)(3)
•          Big Stone (11)
•          Blue Earth (151)
•          Brown (17)(2)
•          Carlton (75)
•          Carver (247)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (52)(1)
•          Chisago (70)(1)
•          Clay (457)(30)
•          Clearwater (3)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (86)
•          Crow Wing (81)(5)
•          Dakota (1,481)(64)
•          Dodge (55)
•          Douglas (46)
•          Faribault (23)
•          Fillmore (18)(1)
•          Freeborn (170)
•          Goodhue (76)(7)
•          Grant (4)
•          Hennepin (9,255)(667)
•          Houston (3)
•          Hubbard (3)
•          Isanti (37)
•          Itasca (56)(10)
•          Jackson (42)
•          Kanabec (12)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (517)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (48)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (110)(2)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (137)(5)
•          McLeod (43)
•          Meeker (46)
•          Mille Lacs (24)(1)
•          Morrison (49)
•          Mower (482)(2)
•          Murray (41)
•          Nicollet (89)(11)
•          Nobles (1,585)(5)
•          Norman (15)
•          Olmsted (699)(12)
•          Otter Tail (75)(1)
•          Pennington (31)
•          Pine (93)
•          Pipestone (13)
•          Polk (63)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (3,445)(152)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (7)
•          Renville (7)
•          Rice (565)(3)
•          Rock (23)
•          Roseau (3)
•          Scott (483)(2)
•          Sherburne (253)(2)
•          Sibley (17)
•          St. Louis (119)(14)
•          Stearns (2,063)(15)
•          Steele (171)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (19)(1)
•          Todd (346)(2)
•          Traverse (5)
•          Wabasha (20)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (31)
•          Washington (712)(37)
•          Watonwan (80)
•          Wilkin (11) (3)
•          Winona (83) (15)
•          Wright (351)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (7)
•          Unknown/missing (96)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 5, 2020): Gov. Walz further lifts restrictions on businesses, places of gathering

Gov. Tim Walz announced a new executive order that will further reopen economies across the state beginning next Wednesday, June 10.
            In six days, restaurants and bars, personal care services, gyms and fitness centers, entertainment venues and pools will reopen while following strict guidelines that promote social distancing guidelines and will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota.
            “We have to thank our business community across the state,” said Steve Grove, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner. “It’s truly amazing how they’ve sacrificed to stop the spread of COVID-19, and now we’re ready to move those dials to increase activity in our economies.”
            Within each sector that will reopen, social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained, people are encouraged to wear masks, sanitization must be available, and there will be capacity requirements based on fire marshal standards.
            Restaurants and bars may reopen indoor seating at 50% capacity with a maximum capacity of 250 people. Workers and customers must wear masks and reservations will be required to monitor the movement of COVID-19 in the communities.
            Personal care services will be able to operate at 50% capacity, previously 25%. And, places of worship may invite up to 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 attendees; this includes funerals, weddings and memorials. Pools are also allowed to reopen at 50% capacity.
            Gyms and fitness centers may also reopen with a limit of 25% capacity or a maximum of 250 people.
            “We’re encouraging gym-goers to wear a mask to and from the gym and in between activities,” Grove said. “Group classes will also be allowed, but we want people to really think about hosting outdoor classes.”
            Entertainment venues were originally a part of the phase four of reopening, but are now including in this third version and includes movie theaters, museums, bowling alleys and the like. Again, attendance must not exceed 25% or 250 people.
            DEED’s website will have specific guidelines for each of these venues to develop plans for safely reopening.
            Next Wednesday social outdoor gatherings will be also be increased from 10 to 25 individuals. Indoor groups are asked to remain at 10 or fewer.
            “With the increasing of social gatherings to 25, that allows a lot of sports to happen for youth and adult,” Grove said. “Different activities are low risk, like tennis, while others, like basketball are high risk. Right now, low risk sports can include games and competitions, while high risk sports may have practices but no games.”
            Every business reopening must submit a COVID-19 preparedness plan to the state by the end of the month.
            “We’re counting on Minnesota to engage in their economy in ways that they haven’t before and do it right with social distancing, masks and being careful,” Grove said.
            The push to reopen Minnesota further comes from patterns noticed in COVID-19 cases. Data is indicating new daily COVID-19 cases are plateauing with small waves popping up.
            “We’re seeing several days in a row of declining cases and then one day of a small uptick,” said Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Health Commissioner. 
            Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 712 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 26,980. There were 33 new deaths reported, making the state total 1,148. Of those deaths, 922 were from long-term care facilities.
            To date, 21,864 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
            “Bottom line is that we are going to be dealing with ongoing high levels of COVID-19 transmission for months to come until we have herd immunity or a vaccine,” Malcolm said. “We have to learn to live with COVID-19 and put it in the perspective of other health concerns, striking a balance with our economy and societal well-being.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (12)
•          Anoka (1,527)(79)
•          Becker (44)
•          Beltrami (18)
•          Benton (185)(3)
•          Big Stone (11)
•          Blue Earth (149)
•          Brown (17)(2)
•          Carlton (75)
•          Carver (240)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (52)(1)
•          Chisago (69)(1)
•          Clay (449)(30)
•          Clearwater (3)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (82)
•          Crow Wing (81)(5)
•          Dakota (1,446)(64)
•          Dodge (54)
•          Douglas (46)
•          Faribault (22)
•          Fillmore (17)(1)
•          Freeborn (159)
•          Goodhue (73)(6)
•          Grant (4)
•          Hennepin (9,099)(657)
•          Houston (3)
•          Hubbard (3)
•          Isanti (36)
•          Itasca (56)(10)
•          Jackson (42)
•          Kanabec (12)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (514)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (47)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (101)(1)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (135)(5)
•          McLeod (41)
•          Meeker (46)
•          Mille Lacs (24)(1)
•          Morrison (48)
•          Mower (446)(2)
•          Murray (41)
•          Nicollet (88)(11)
•          Nobles (1,577)(5)
•          Norman (15)
•          Olmsted (689)(11)
•          Otter Tail (73)(1)
•          Pennington (30)
•          Pine (93)
•          Pipestone (13)
•          Polk (63)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (3,351)(149)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (7)
•          Renville (7)
•          Rice (524)(3)
•          Rock (23)
•          Roseau (3)
•          Scott (471)(2)
•          Sherburne (249)(2)
•          Sibley (17)
•          St. Louis (119)(14)
•          Stearns (2,056)(14)
•          Steele (170)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (19)
•          Todd (344)(1)
•          Traverse (4)
•          Wabasha (20)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (29)
•          Washington (700)(35)
•          Watonwan (79)
•          Wilkin (11) (3)
•          Winona (81) (15)
•          Wright (349)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (7)
•          Unknown/missing (96)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 4, 2020)

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 404 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 26,273. There were 29 new deaths reported, making the state total 1,115. Of those deaths, 896 were from long-term care facilities.
            To date, 21,490 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
            Approximately 250,085 tests have been conducted since Jan. 20. The state health department has completed 25,537 of those tests.
            Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (11)
•          Anoka (1,488)(78)
•          Becker (43)
•          Beltrami (18)
•          Benton (182)(3)
•          Big Stone (8)
•          Blue Earth (148)
•          Brown (16)(2)
•          Carlton (75)
•          Carver (232)(2)
•          Cass (11)(2)
•          Chippewa (52)(1)
•          Chisago (64)(1)
•          Clay (441)(29)
•          Clearwater (3)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (79)
•          Crow Wing (77)(4)
•          Dakota (1,414)(64)
•          Dodge (53)
•          Douglas (44)
•          Faribault (20)
•          Fillmore (17)(1)
•          Freeborn (142)
•          Goodhue (71)(5)
•          Grant (4)
•          Hennepin (8,867)(641)
•          Houston (2)
•          Hubbard (3)
•          Isanti (36)
•          Itasca (56)(10)
•          Jackson (42)
•          Kanabec (12)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (511)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (9)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (46)(1)
•          Lincoln (6)
•          Lyon (81)(1)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (12)
•          Martin (132)(5)
•          McLeod (39)
•          Meeker (46)
•          Mille Lacs (23)(1)
•          Morrison (48)
•          Mower (406)(2)
•          Murray (40)
•          Nicollet (88)(11)
•          Nobles (1,562)(5)
•          Norman (15)
•          Olmsted (672)(11)
•          Otter Tail (73)
•          Pennington (23)
•          Pine (93)
•          Pipestone (12)
•          Polk (61)(2)
•          Pope (10)
•          Ramsey (3,252)(140)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (7)
•          Renville (7)
•          Rice (483)(3)
•          Rock (23)
•          Roseau (3)
•          Scott (460)(2)
•          Sherburne (248)(2)
•          Sibley (16)
•          St. Louis (118)(14)
•          Stearns (2,050)(14)
•          Steele (167)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (19)
•          Todd (336)(1)
•          Traverse (4)
•          Wabasha (18)
•          Wadena (10)
•          Waseca (27)
•          Washington (680)(34)
•          Watonwan (78)
•          Wilkin (11) (3)
•          Winona (80) (15)
•          Wright (339)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (6)
•          Unknown/missing (75)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 3, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 372 newly reported cases of COVID-19 June 3 for a total of 25,870 confirmed cases across the state and 14 newly reported deaths.
Approximately 24,893 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 240,825 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcom announced that as of this morning there are 6.4 million cases around the world and approximately 381,000 deaths. In the United States there are approximately 1.8 million cases and 106,000 deaths. Minnesota’s overall death total is currently 1,086.
Malcom was able to bring positive news to state residents.
“There are currently 537 patients in the hospital,” she said. “It is notable that there has been a pretty steady decline in the total number of people hospitalized in the past week. A week ago today, there were 666 total persons in the hospital compared to 537 today. The intensive care unit numbers have remained quite a bit more stable, but we do have 254 persons in ICU level care as of now which is nine less than the high point of 363 last Friday.”
Malcom was stern on her positioning on how recent protesting is a breeding ground for the spread of infection and how being out in large groups without social distancing can be mightily detrimental to the public.
“Anyone who participated in these large gatherings, we are strongly encouraging you to get tested for COVID-19,” Malcolm said. “As we know, COVID-19 can spread easily and quickly in large groups of people who are close together for long periods of time. It is so very important that people who might have been exposed do get tested as that testing will improve our ability to mitigate the spread of the disease.”
Infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann encouraged residents to donate blood as there has been a low supply in hospitals recently.
“There continues to be an urgent need,” she said. “There’s a lot of interest among Minnesotans to help in anyway they can at this time. We have heard and continue to hear that blood supplies are low in some of our communities. Blood banks have put safety precautions in place to limit risk so you can donate blood confidently. Blood is a very important need right now and if you are able to donate blood please reach out to the nearest blood center.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (11)_
·       Anoka (1,470)(73)
·       Becker (41)
·       Beltrami (18)
·       Benton (181)(3)
·       Big Stone (8)
·       Blue Earth (148)
·       Brown (17)(2)
·       Carlton (75)
·       Carver (224)(2)
·       Cass (12)(2)
·       Chippewa (51)(1)
·       Chisago (64)(1)
·       Clay (435)(29)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (77)
·       Crow Wing (75)(4)
·       Dakota (1,388)(59)
·       Dodge (53)
·       Douglas (44)
·       Faribault (20)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (130)
·       Goodhue (70)(4)
·       Grant (4)
·       Hennepin (8,738)(633)
·       Houston (2)
·       Hubbard(3)
·       Isanti (35)
·       Itasca (56)(10)
·       Jackson (40)
·       Kanabec (12)
·       Kandiyohi (505)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (9)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (46)(1)
·       Lincoln (6)
·       Lyon (71)
·       Mahnomen (6)(1)
·       Marshall (12)
·       Martin (132)(5)
·       McLeod (37)
·       Meeker (45)
·       Mille Lacs (22)(1)
·       Morrison (48)
·       Mower (366)(2)
·       Murray (39)
·       Nicollet (88)(10)
·       Nobles (1,558)(5)
·       Norman (14)
·       Olmsted (654)(11)
·       Otter Tail (71)
·       Pennington (21)
·       Pine (90)
·       Pipestone (12)
·       Polk (61)(2)
·       Pope (9)
·       Ramsey (3,189)(134)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (6)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (480)(2)
·       Rock (23)
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 2, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 310 new positive cases of COVID-19
June 2 for a total of 25,508 confirmed cases across the state and 22 newly reported deaths. Of the reported cases, 20,381 are no longer in need of isolation. Additionally, of the total 1,072 deaths, 866 have been confirmed long-term care facility residents.
Approximately 23,832 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20,
2020, and approximately 234,915 have been tested at external laboratories.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (11)(0)
·       Anoka (1,441)(71)
·       Becker (41)
·       Beltrami (16)
·       Benton (178)(3)
·       Big Stone (8)
·       Blue Earth (145)
·       Brown (16)(2)
·       Carlton (75)(0)
·       Carver (222)(2)
·       Cass (13)
·       Chippewa (51)(1)
·       Chisago (62)(1)
·       Clay (430)(29)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (76)
·       Crow Wing (72)(2)
·       Dakota (1,368)(59)
·       Dodge (53)
·       Douglas (44)
·       Faribault (20)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (130)
·       Goodhue (69)(3)
·       Grant (4)
·       Hennepin (8,591)(627)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (35)
·       Itasca (55)(10)
·       Jackson (40)
·       Kanabec (12)(1)
·       Kandiyohi (504)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (9)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (44)(1)
·       Lincoln (6)
·       Lyon (65)(1)
·       Mahnomen (6)(1)
·       Marshall (12)
·       Martin (132)(5)
·       McLeod (37)
·       Meeker (45)
·       Mille Lacs (20)(1)
·       Morrison (48)
·       Mower (354)(2)
·       Murray (39)
·       Nicollet (88)(10)
·       Nobles (1,552)(5)
·       Norman (13)
·       Olmsted (650)(11)
·       Otter Tail (70)
·       Pennington (19)
·       Pine (89)
·       Pipestone (12)
·       Polk (61)(2)
·       Pope (9)
·       Ramsey (3,128)(133)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (6)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (467)(2)
·       Rock (22)
·       Roseau (2)
·       Scott (442)(2)
·       Sherburne (253)(2)
·       Sibley (16)
·       St. Louis (118)(14)
·       Stearns (2,042)(13)
·       Steele (164)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (19)
·       Todd (327)
·       Traverse (4)
·       Wabasha (18)
·       Wadena (10)
·       Waseca (26)
·       Washington (658)(32)
·       Watonwan (77)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (80)(15)
·       Wright (327)(2)
·       Yellow Medicine (6)
·       Unknown/missing (83) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (June 1, 2020)

Health officials caution public with business reopening 
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 361 new positive cases of COVID-19
June 1 for a total of 25,208 confirmed cases across the state and 10 newly reported deaths. Of those cases, 19,441 are no longer in need of isolation.
Approximately 23,832 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20,
2020, and approximately 231,760 have been tested at external laboratories.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcom and infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann continued to urge state residents to wear masks out in public if they are out protesting regarding the death of George Floyd.
In light of the protests, they also recommend that anyone who shows symptoms should immediately self isolate and call their healthcare provider.
“As we find peaceful ways to express ourselves, we want to ask for everyone’s help to protect themselves and their loved ones and our most vulnerable neighbors from additional suffering and pain,” Malcom said.
They also gave the public an update on tCOVID-19 globally. There have been approximately 6.2 million cases and just over 372,000 deaths throughout the world. In the United States, there are 1.8 million cases and just over 104,000 deaths. In Minnesota, there are 549 patients in the hospital and 263 of those are in the intensive care unit.
As of this morning, restaurants and bars across the state are allowed to open at 25% capacity. Dr. Ruth Lynfield made it clear that even though restrictions are loosening, it is imperative people still adhere to proper social distancing guidelines.
“We also do think that being outdoors is better than being in a closed confined indoor type of setting,” Lynfield said. “However, it is hard to maintain a 6-foot distance.”
While barbershops and nail salons were able to open today at 25% capacity as well, MDH’s top officials still remind everyone to be cautious of the invisible enemy our communities are facing.
“I’ll just note that we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 challenges and working to find that important balance between helping business reopen as quickly as possibly while prioritizing health and safety of their workers and customers,” Malcom said.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (8)(0)
·       Anoka (1,429)(70)
·       Becker (40)
·       Beltrami (15)
·       Benton (178)(3)
·       Big Stone (6)
·       Blue Earth (142)
·       Brown (16)(2)
·       Carlton (75)
·       Carver (218)(2)
·       Cass (14)
·       Chippewa (51)(1)
·       Chisago (62)(1)
·       Clay (427)(28)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (76)
·       Crow Wing (71)
·       Dakota (1,349)(57)
·       Dodge (53)
·       Douglas (44)
·       Faribault (19)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (125)
·       Goodhue (68)
·       Grant (4)
·       Hennepin (8,514)(616)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (35)
·       Itasca (55)
·       Jackson (39)
·       Kanabec (11)
·       Kandiyohi (497)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (9)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (44)(1)
·       Lincoln (5)
·       Lyon (57)
·       Mahnomen (6)(1)
·       Marshall (12)
·       Martin (112) (4)
·       McLeod (37)
·       Meeker (45)
·       Mille Lacs (19)(1)
·       Morrison (47)
·       Mower (345)(2)
·       Murray (39)
·       Nicollet (21) (2)
·       Nobles (1,544)(5)
·       Norman (13)
·       Olmsted (634)(10)
·       Otter Tail (70)
·       Pennington (19)
·       Pine (89)
·       Pipestone (12)
·       Polk (61)(2)
·       Pope (9)
·       Ramsey (3,075)(128)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (5)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (462)(2)
·       Rock (22)
·       Roseau (2)
·       Scott (436)(2)
·       Sherburne (246)(2)
·       Sibley (16)
·       St. Louis (118)(14)
·       Stearns (2,030)(13)
·       Steele (160)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (19)
·       Todd (319)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (18)
·       Wadena (10)
·       Waseca (26)
·       Washington (645)(32)
·       Watonwan (75)
·       Wilkin (11)(3)
·       Winona (80)(15)
·       Wright (320)(2)
·       Yellow Medicine (6)
·       Unknown/missing (88)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 30, 2020)

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 660 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 24,190. There were 30 new deaths reported, making the state total 1,026. Of those deaths, 837 were from long-term care facilities.
To date, 17,864 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
Approximately 242,508 tests have been conducted since Jan. 20. The state health department has completed 23,832 of those tests.
            Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (8)
•          Anoka (1,363)(70)
•          Becker (39)
•          Beltrami (14)
•          Benton (175)(3)
•          Big Stone (4)
•          Blue Earth (138)
•          Brown (15)(2)
•          Carlton (73)
•          Carver (206)(2)
•          Cass (13)(3)
•          Chippewa (49)(1)
•          Chisago (61)(1)
•          Clay (424)(26)
•          Clearwater (3)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (70)
•          Crow Wing (68)(2)
•          Dakota (1,263)(54)
•          Dodge (52)
•          Douglas (41)
•          Faribault (18)
•          Fillmore (17)(1)
•          Freeborn (115)
•          Goodhue (66)(3)
•          Grant (4)
•          Hennepin (8,181)(606)
•          Houston (2)
•          Hubbard (3)
•          Isanti (32)
•          Itasca (54)
•          Jackson (39)
•          Kanabec (11)(1)
•          Kandiyohi (490)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (7)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (44)(1)
•          Lincoln (5)
•          Lyon (49)
•          Mahnomen (6)(1)
•          Marshall (10)
•          Martin (129)(5)
•          McLeod (34)
•          Meeker (45)
•          Mille Lacs (19)(1)
•          Morrison (45)
•          Mower (303)(1)
•          Murray (39)
•          Nicollet (86)(10)
•          Nobles (1,512)(5)
•          Norman (13)
•          Olmsted (608)(10)
•          Otter Tail (64)
•          Pennington (17)
•          Pine (89)
•          Pipestone (12)
•          Polk (61)(2)
•          Pope (9)
•          Ramsey (2,863)(122)
•          Red Lake (4)
•          Redwood (4)
•          Renville (5)
•          Rice (452)(2)
•          Rock (22)
•          Roseau (3)
•          Scott (334)(2)
•          Sherburne (237)(2)
•          Sibley (16)
•          St. Louis (118)(14)
•          Stearns (2,014)(13)
•          Steele (159)
•          Stevens (1)
•          Swift (18)
•          Todd (313)
•          Traverse (3)
•          Wabasha (18)
•          Wadena (9)
•          Waseca (26)
•          Washington (617)(31)
•          Watonwan (79)(15)
•          Wilkin (11) (3)
•          Winona (79) (15)
•          Wright (305)(1)
•          Yellow Medicine (6)
•          Unknown/missing (86)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.






 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 29, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 528 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 29 for a total of 23,531 confirmed cases across the state and 29 newly reported deaths.
Approximately 23,165 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20,
2020, and approximately 210,708 have been tested at external laboratories.
            MDH did not hold a press briefing today about the COVID-19 situation in Minnesota. Rather, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm gave the following statement in regards to the situation unfolding in Minneapolis.          
            “Over the next few days, we know there may be people in our communities coming together to give voice to their concerns and demands,” Malcolm said. “As they do, those of us in public health are reminding everyone involved that they need to take steps to limit the risk of COVID-19 spread. This is essential not only to protect themselves but also to protect their loved ones and the larger community.”
            The Twin Cities area remains one of the most vulnerable to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the nation at this time in the pandemic.
            “We are particularly concerned about people coming into the metro area from other parts of the state and from outside Minnesota who may not be aware of this,” Malcolm said. “We are also concerned about the continued disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on people of color in our state.”
            On behalf of MDH, Malcolm encouraged people to help protect the community’s most vulnerable neighbors as they find ways to express themselves during this time.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (7)
·       Anoka (1,324)(67)
·       Becker (36)
·       Beltrami (14)
·       Benton (175)(3)
·       Big Stone (4)
·       Blue Earth (137)(1)
·       Brown (14)(2)
·       Carlton (73)
·       Carver (201)(2)
·       Cass (13)(2)
·       Chippewa (49)(1)
·       Chisago (60)(1)
·       Clay (420)(25)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (69)(1)
·       Crow Wing (64)(1)
·       Dakota (1,230)(51)
·       Dodge (50)
·       Douglas (40)
·       Faribault (15)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (108)
·       Goodhue (62)(3)
·       Grant (4)
·       Hennepin (7,932)(593)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (32)
·       Itasca (54)(9)
·       Jackson (39)
·       Kanabec (11)(1)
·       Kandiyohi (486)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (7)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (44)
·       Lincoln (5)
·       Lyon (43)
·       Mahnomen (6)
·       Marshall (10)
·       Martin (129)(5)
·       McLeod (33)
·       Meeker (44)
·       Mille Lacs (19)(1)
·       Morrison (45)
·       Mower (254)(1)
·       Murray (37)
·       Nicollet (83)(9)
·       Nobles (1,503)(4)
·       Norman (12)
·       Olmsted (594)(10)
·       Otter Tail (63)
·       Pennington (17)
·       Pine (89)
·       Pipestone (10)
·       Polk (60)(2)
·       Pope (9)
·       Ramsey (2,790)(115)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (4)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (438)(2)
·       Rock (22)
·       Roseau (2)
·       Scott (394)(2)
·       Sherburne (226)(2)
·       Sibley (16)
·       St. Louis (118)(14)
·       Stearns (2,001)(13)
·       Steele (151)
·       Stevens (2)
·       Swift (18)
·       Todd (302)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (17)
·       Wadena (8)
·       Waseca (26)
·       Washington (598)(31)
·       Watonwan (69)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (79)(15)
·       Wright (287)(1)
·       Yellow Medicine (6)
·       Unknown/missing (66)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 29, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 528 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 29 for a total of 23,531 confirmed cases across the state and 29 newly reported deaths.
Approximately 23,165 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20,
2020, and approximately 210,708 have been tested at external laboratories.
            MDH did not hold a press briefing today about the COVID-19 situation in Minnesota. Rather, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm gave the following statement in regards to the situation unfolding in Minneapolis.          
            “Over the next few days, we know there may be people in our communities coming together to give voice to their concerns and demands,” Malcolm said. “As they do, those of us in public health are reminding everyone involved that they need to take steps to limit the risk of COVID-19 spread. This is essential not only to protect themselves but also to protect their loved ones and the larger community.”
            The Twin Cities area remains one of the most vulnerable to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the nation at this time in the pandemic.
            “We are particularly concerned about people coming into the metro area from other parts of the state and from outside Minnesota who may not be aware of this,” Malcolm said. “We are also concerned about the continued disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on people of color in our state.”
            On behalf of MDH, Malcolm encouraged people to help protect the community’s most vulnerable neighbors as they find ways to express themselves during this time.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (7)
·       Anoka (1,324)(67)
·       Becker (36)
·       Beltrami (14)
·       Benton (175)(3)
·       Big Stone (4)
·       Blue Earth (137)(1)
·       Brown (14)(2)
·       Carlton (73)
·       Carver (201)(2)
·       Cass (13)(2)
·       Chippewa (49)(1)
·       Chisago (60)(1)
·       Clay (420)(25)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (69)(1)
·       Crow Wing (64)(1)
·       Dakota (1,230)(51)
·       Dodge (50)
·       Douglas (40)
·       Faribault (15)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (108)
·       Goodhue (62)(3)
·       Grant (4)
·       Hennepin (7,932)(593)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (32)
·       Itasca (54)(9)
·       Jackson (39)
·       Kanabec (11)(1)
·       Kandiyohi (486)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (7)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (44)
·       Lincoln (5)
·       Lyon (43)
·       Mahnomen (6)
·       Marshall (10)
·       Martin (129)(5)
·       McLeod (33)
·       Meeker (44)
·       Mille Lacs (19)(1)
·       Morrison (45)
·       Mower (254)(1)
·       Murray (37)
·       Nicollet (83)(9)
·       Nobles (1,503)(4)
·       Norman (12)
·       Olmsted (594)(10)
·       Otter Tail (63)
·       Pennington (17)
·       Pine (89)
·       Pipestone (10)
·       Polk (60)(2)
·       Pope (9)
·       Ramsey (2,790)(115)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (4)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (438)(2)
·       Rock (22)
·       Roseau (2)
·       Scott (394)(2)
·       Sherburne (226)(2)
·       Sibley (16)
·       St. Louis (118)(14)
·       Stearns (2,001)(13)
·       Steele (151)
·       Stevens (2)
·       Swift (18)
·       Todd (302)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (17)
·       Wadena (8)
·       Waseca (26)
·       Washington (598)(31)
·       Watonwan (69)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (79)(15)
·       Wright (287)(1)
·       Yellow Medicine (6)
·       Unknown/missing (66)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 28, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 493 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 28 for a total of 22,947 confirmed cases across the state and 35 newly reported deaths. There have been 967 total deaths due to COVID-19. Approximately 22,513 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 202,695 have been tested at external laboratories.
During the daily press briefing by MDH, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann helped broaden people’s perspective on how Minnesota is doing in comparison to the nation right now when it comes to testing
“We certainly do track that and I believe we are currently No. 29 among the states in terms of testing on a per population basis, but the goal of the governor and the Mayo Clinic and statewide partnership is to create the capacity of 20,000 tests per day in June,” Malcolm said. “I think the governor said he wanted to see us hitting 10,000 tests per day by the end of May, so we are very close to that.”
MDH put a plan into effect three weeks ago with the intentions of helping to lower the amount of deaths in long-term care facilities, but the problem has persisted with over 300 deaths from nursing homes over the past three weeks.
“I think the focus on deaths is certainly understandable and is a very, very critical metric but I think the point of the battle plan is not solely measured around, ‘Have we reduced the percentage of deaths?’” Malcolm said. “The other thing we are looking at is the ability to prevent spread in these congregate care settings and how many times can we help facilities keep infection rates and keep cases in the very low range.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (7)
  • Anoka (1,289)(63)
  • Becker (36)
  • Beltrami (14)
  • Benton (173)(3)
  • Big Stone (4)
  • Blue Earth (126)(1)
  • Brown (14)(2)
  • Carlton (73)
  • Carver (189)(2)
  • Cass (13)
  • Chippewa (44)(1)
  • Chisago (54)(1)
  • Clay (416)(25)
  • Clearwater (3)
  • Cottonwood (69)
  • Crow Wing (59)(1)
  • Dakota (1,202)(49)
  • Dodge (46)
  • Douglas (39)
  • Faribault (13)
  • Fillmore (17)(1)
  • Freeborn (102)
  • Goodhue (60)
  • Grant (3)
  • Hennepin (7,695)(581)
  • Houston (2)
  • Isanti (32)
  • Itasca (54)
  • Jackson (39)
  • Kanabec (11)(1)
  • Kandiyohi (476)(1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (7)
  • Lac qui Parle (3)
  • Lake (1)
  • Le Sueur (44)
  • Lincoln (5)
  • Lyon (38)
  • Mahnomen (5)(1)
  • Marshall (9)
  • Martin (126)(5)
  • McLeod (30)
  • Meeker (44)
  • Mille Lacs (19)(1)
  • Morrison (41)
  • Mower (231)
  • Murray (36)
  • Nicollet (82)(7)
  • Nobles (1,496)(3)
  • Norman (11)
  • Olmsted (582)(10)
  • Otter Tail (63)
  • Pennington (17)
  • Pine (89)
  • Pipestone (10)
  • Polk (59)
  • Pope (8)
  • Ramsey (2,698)(110)
  • Red Lake (4)
  • Redwood (4)
  • Renville (5)
  • Rice (423)(2)
  • Rock (22)
  • Roseau (2)
  • Scott (383)(2)
  • Sherburne (222)(2)
  • Sibley (15)
  • St. Louis (117)(14)
  • Stearns (1,995)(12)
  • Steele (149)
  • Stevens (1)
  • Swift (17)
  • Todd (296)
  • Traverse (3)
  • Wabasha (17)
  • Wadena (8)
  • Waseca (25)
  • Washington (576)(30)
  • Watonwan (64)
  • Wilkin (11) (3)
  • Winona (78)(15)
  • Wright (280)(1)
  • Yellow Medicine (6)
  • Unknown/missing (94)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 27, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 510 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 27 for a total of 22,464 confirmed cases across the state and 33 newly reported deaths.
Approximately 22,259 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20,
2020, and approximately 194,273 have been tested at external laboratories.
Today, Gov. Tim Walz reinforced that despite various restaurants and stores opening across the state, we still need to take extreme caution as we move forward. He made it clear that we have still not reached the apex within the state.
“As more data comes maybe we will be able to tell if this is a plateau or if it is a calm before the storm,” Walz said. “All the modeling both internally and externally and from partners that we work with seems to still show that the peak is still a ways off but there is a degree of uncertainty that comes with that prediction.”
Several professional sports leagues are preparing proposals to get teams back up and running yet Walz was skeptical on the potential of that getting underway in Minnesota.
“I spoke with the Major League Baseball Commissioner awhile back and we talked about the things that would need to be in place,” Walz said. “I’ll be candid about that, we talked about the health side of things, what the broadcast would look like, what the cleaning crew would look like. It’s certainly my goal. These are important parts of what Minnesota is and I think in the short term its not going to be with spectators.”
In light of the recent controversial death of George Floyd, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcom spoke and advised protestors to be wary of congregating in large groups.
“Anybody who is ill or people who may be vulnerable to the virus should not be out protesting,” Malcom said.
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (7)
·       Anoka (1,262)(59)
·       Becker (37)
·       Beltrami (13)
·       Benton (169)(2)
·       Big Stone (3)
·       Blue Earth (122)(1)
·       Brown (14)(2)
·       Carlton (73)
·       Carver (185)(2)
·       Cass (12)(2)
·       Chippewa (44)(1)
·       Chisago (50)(1)
·       Clay (406)(25)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (65)
·       Crow Wing (65)
·       Dakota (1.182)(44)
·       Dodge (46)
·       Douglas (39)
·       Faribault (13)(0)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (97)
·       Goodhue (60)(3)
·       Grant (3)
·       Hennepin (7,540) (565)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (33)
·       Itasca (53)(7)
·       Jackson (39)
·       Kanabec (11)(1)
·       Kandiyohi (475)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (7)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (43)
·       Lincoln (5)
·       Lyon (36)
·       Mahnomen (5)(1)
·       Marshall (9)
·       Martin (126)(5)
·       McLeod (29)(0)
·       Meeker (44)
·       Mille Lacs (17)(1)
·       Morrison (40)
·       Mower (216)(1)
·       Murray (36)
·       Nicollet (74)(7)
·       Nobles (1,488)(3)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (575)(10)
·       Otter Tail (62)
·       Pennington (17)
·       Pine (85)
·       Pipestone (10)
·       Polk (59)(2)
·       Pope (8)
·       Ramsey (2,610)(103)
·       Red Lake (4)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (411)(2)
·       Rock (21)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (379)(2)
·       Sherburne (219)(2)
·       Sibley (13)
·       St. Louis (115)(13)
·       Stearns (1,984)(12)
·       Steele (148)
·       Stevens (0)
·       Swift (17)
·       Todd (296)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (17)
·       Wadena (8)
·       Waseca (24)
·       Washington (562)(30)
·       Watonwan (59)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (78)(15)
·       Wright (269)(1)
·       Yellow Medicine (6)
·       Unknown/missing (25) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 26, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 628 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 26 for a total of 21,960 confirmed cases across the state and 18 new reported deaths.
“I know that there is a common perception that this is an illness that only affects the elderly but that is certainly not the case,” Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said. “While the elderly and people with underlying health conditions are at significantly higher risk for severe disease, it is important to know that our median age of cases is 42 years old; 17 percent of all cases are people in their 20s and 20 percent are between the age of 30 and 39.”
To date, 15,523 cases are no longer in isolation.
             Approximately 22,097 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 187,801 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Malcolm and infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann paired up on the MDH’s daily briefing to the public for various updates.
“Our testing volume continues to grow quite nicely,” Malcolm said. “We had over 5,800 tests produced by all the labs reporting yesterday. We saw over 8,400 on Saturday, almost 6,100 on Sunday and over 5,800 on Monday, so really strong laboratory data from the long weekend.”  
A significant amount of those tests was due to the free tests available at six National Guard armory locations across the state.
“We are extremely grateful for the Guard for their extraordinary work and helping set those up with very short notice and staffing them,” Malcolm said. “The Guard provided very close to 10,000 site tests at these six sites.”
MDH also announced that they have award $97.6 million in emergency health care grants to nearly 360 provider organizations across Minnesota to support their preparation and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These health care response grantees include a wide range of health care providers, from primary care clinics and long-term care facilities to hospitals and health systems and first responders,” Malcolm said. “About half of the funds went to this variety of organizations for additional staffing costs and with the next largest share of the funds going to supplies, including purchasing personal protective equipment.”
Malcom said there will be further grant funding announced in the coming weeks.
Over the weekend, there was a jump in ICU bed use. The largest single day increase occurred with 41 COVID-19 ICU beds being needed.
“This level of ICU use has not been unexpected,” Ehresmann said. “The overall picture for ICU bed availability on May 25 showed 87% of the ICU beds in the metro were in use. Other regions in the state had more availability. For comparison, it isn’t unusual for ICU beds to be 95% full during flu season. That being said, we are keeping a close eye on this and we are in regular contact with hospital leadership as they arrive.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (7)
  • Anoka (1,241) (56)
  • Becker (37)
  • Beltrami (12)
  • Benton (167)(2)
  • Big Stone (3)
  • Blue Earth (119)
  • Brown (13)
  • Carlton (73)
  • Carver (182)(2)
  • Cass (11)
  • Chippewa (42)
  • Chisago (49)(1)
  • Clay (386)(25)
  • Clearwater (3)
  • Cottonwood (65)
  • Crow Wing (56)(1)
  • Dakota (1,164)(38)
  • Dodge (46)
  • Douglas (30)
  • Faribault (13)
  • Fillmore (17)(1)
  • Freeborn (97)
  • Goodhue (58)(3)
  • Grant (3)
  • Hennepin (7,421)(549)
  • Houston (2)
  • Isanti (30)
  • Itasca (53)(7)
  • Jackson (39)
  • Kanabec (11)(1)
  • Kandiyohi (471)(1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (6)
  • Lac qui Parle (3)
  • Lake (1)
  • Le Sueur (41)
  • Lincoln (5)
  • Lyon (36)
  • Mahnomen (5)
  • Marshall (9)
  • Martin (126)(5)
  • McLeod (28)
  • Meeker (42)
  • Mille Lacs (17)(1)
  • Morrison (39)
  • Mower (206)
  • Murray (35)
  • Nicollet (71)(6)
  • Nobles (1,478)(2)
  • Norman (11)
  • Olmsted (570)(10)
  • Otter Tail (59)
  • Pennington (14)
  • Pine (85)
  • Pipestone (10)
  • Polk (59)
  • Pope (8)
  • Ramsey (2,551)(98)
  • Red Lake (3)
  • Redwood (3)
  • Renville (5)
  • Rice (396)(2)
  • Rock (21)
  • Roseau (1)
  • Scott (374)(2)
  • Sherburne (217)(2)
  • Sibley (13)
  • St. Louis (96) (12)
  • Stearns (1,959)(12)
  • Steele (144)
  • Stevens (0)
  • Swift (16)
  • Todd (220)
  • Traverse (3)
  • Wabasha (17)
  • Wadena (8)
  • Waseca (24)
  • Washington (553)(29)
  • Watonwan (58)
  • Wilkin (11)(3)
  • Winona (78)(15)
  • Wright (263)(1)
  • Yellow Medicine (6)
  • Unknown/missing (15)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 23, 2020)

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 847 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 19,845. There were 10 new deaths reported, making the state total 852. Of those deaths, 697 were from long-term care facilities.
            To date, 13,485 COVID-19 patients no longer need to be in isolation. 
            Approximately 189,493 tests have been conducted since Jan. 20. The state health department has completed 20,856 of those tests.
            Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (6)
•          Anoka (1,092)(55)
•          Becker (32)
•          Beltrami (12)
•          Benton (161)(2)
•          Big Stone (3)
•          Blue Earth (110)(1)
•          Brown (11)(2)
•          Carlton (71)
•          Carver (154)(2)
•          Cass (11)(3)
•          Chippewa (39)
•          Chisago (44)(1)
•          Clay (361)(23)
•          Clearwater (2)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (62)
•          Crow Wing (42)(1)
•          Dakota (999)(33)
•          Dodge (43)
•          Douglas (27)
•          Faribault (11)
•          Fillmore (17)(1)
•          Freeborn (82)
•          Goodhue (50)(2)
•          Grant (2)
•          Hennepin (6,649)(524)
•          Houston (2)
•          Hubbard (1)
•          Isanti (24)
•          Itasca (51)
•          Jackson (38)
•          Kanabec (11)
•          Kandiyohi (449)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (4)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (41)(1)
•          Lincoln (5)
•          Lyon (31)
•          Mahnomen (5)(1)
•          Marshall (8)
•          Martin (124)(5)
•          McLeod (26)
•          Meeker (43)
•          Mille Lacs (15)(1)
•          Morrison (36)
•          Mower (138)(1)
•          Murray (35)
•          Nicollet (64)(3)
•          Nobles (1,444)(2)
•          Norman (11)
•          Olmsted (542)(10)
•          Otter Tail (53)
•          Pennington (7)
•          Pine (84)
•          Pipestone (10)
•          Polk (59)(2)
•          Pope (6)
•          Ramsey (2,164)(94)
•          Red Lake (3)
•          Redwood (3)
•          Renville (5)
•          Rice (352)(2)
•          Rock (20)
•          Roseau (1)
•          Scott (334)(2)
•          Sherburne (202)(1)
•          Sibley (12)
•          St. Louis (110)(13)
•          Stearns (1,918)(12)
•          Steele (138)
•          Stevens (0)
•          Swift (15)
•          Todd (183)
•          Traverse (3)
•          Wabasha (16)
•          Wadena (6)
•          Waseca (24)
•          Washington (485)(25)
•          Watonwan (46)
•          Wilkin (11) (3)
•          Winona (77) (15)
•          Wright (231)(1)
•          Yellow Medicine (5)
•          Unknown/missing (16)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.






 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 22, 2020)

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 813 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a statewide total of 19,005. A new record was also met for reported deaths at 33, making the state total 842. Of those deaths, 688 were from long-term care facilities.
            Approximately 180,971 tests have been conducted since Jan. 20. The state health department has completed 20,114 of those tests.
            In the MDH press briefing Friday afternoon, MDH commissioner Jan Malcolm and state epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield spoke of developments surrounding the state’s COVID-19 situation.
            “The large increase in new cases for the day ended rather abruptly the six-day falling trend we had seen,” Malcolm said. “We didn’t expect that trend to continue, but it is concerning to see such a jump.”
            Granted, as the state is able to test more, more positive cases are expected.
            Yesterday, the state tested 7,415 individuals – one of their highest totals to date.
            “This whole week, we’ve averaged about 7,000 tests each day,” Malcolm said. “We’re making good progress on keeping up with that.”
            The state is finding strong health disparities amongst Minnesotans of color and indigenous people. In Minnesota, African Americans make up 6% of the population, and as of today, that population made up 23% of positive COVID-19 cases in the state.
            “This disparity is continuing to accelerate and exacerbate,” Malcolm said.
            This weekend – Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – free testing will be available at six National Guard armories across the state. Locations include East St. Paul, Minneapolis, Moorhead, Duluth, Faribault and St. James.
            “We are hoping Minnesotans take advantage of this free testing,” Malcolm said. “And, we appreciate the partnership with the Guard.”
            If a person suspects they have COVID-19, shows symptoms or is waiting on test results, they need to self isolate.
            “Stay at home,” Malcolm said. “It is such a central element to our Stay Safe Minnesota strategy. We can all do our part by taking that to heart.”
            Lynfield agreed.
            “We ask for your patience,” she said. “This virus is going to be with us for a while. We all depend on each other to be really careful about social distancing. When you’re sick, please, please stay home.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
•          Aitkin (4)
•          Anoka (1,044)(53)
•          Becker (33)
•          Beltrami (10)
•          Benton (158)(2)
•          Big Stone (3)
•          Blue Earth (108)
•          Brown (11)(2)
•          Carlton (71)
•          Carver (146)
•          Cass (10)(2)
•          Chippewa (39)
•          Chisago (41)(1)
•          Clay (356)(22)
•          Clearwater (2)
•          Cook (0)
•          Cottonwood (61)
•          Crow Wing (42)(1)
•          Dakota (961)(33)
•          Dodge (41)
•          Douglas (27)
•          Faribault (11)
•          Fillmore (17)(1)
•          Freeborn (76)
•          Goodhue (43)(2)
•          Grant (2)
•          Hennepin (6,350)(518)
•          Houston (2)
•          Hubbard (0)
•          Isanti (21)
•          Itasca (51)
•          Jackson (37)
•          Kanabec (11)
•          Kandiyohi (443)(1)
•          Kittson (1)
•          Koochiching (4)
•          Lac qui Parle (3)
•          Lake (1)
•          Lake of the Woods (0)
•          Le Sueur (39)(1)
•          Lincoln (4)
•          Lyon (29)
•          Mahnomen (5)(1)
•          Marshall (8)
•          Martin (124)(5)
•          McLeod (24)
•          Meeker (41)
•          Mille Lacs (15)(1)
•          Morrison (34)
•          Mower (112)
•          Murray (34)
•          Nicollet (63)(3)
•          Nobles (1,432)(2)
•          Norman (11)
•          Olmsted (525)(10)
•          Otter Tail (52)
•          Pennington (6)
•          Pine (84)
•          Pipestone (10)
•          Polk (57)(2)
•          Pope (6)
•          Ramsey (2,018)(93)
•          Red Lake (3)
•          Redwood (3)
•          Renville (5)
•          Rice (328)(2)
•          Rock (20)
•          Roseau (1)
•          Scott (316)(2)
•          Sherburne (193)(1)
•          Sibley (12)
•          St. Louis (109)(13)
•          Stearns (1,881)(12)
•          Steele (134)
•          Stevens (0)
•          Swift (15)
•          Todd (140)
•          Traverse (3)
•          Wabasha (23)
•          Wadena (6)
•          Waseca (23)
•          Washington (453)(25)
•          Watonwan (45)
•          Wilkin (11) (3)
•          Winona (76) (15)
•          Wright (213)(2)
•          Yellow Medicine (5)
•          Unknown/missing (20)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 21, 2020)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 539 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 21 for a total of 18,200 confirmed cases across the state and 32 newly reported deaths. Approximately 19,720 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 153,836 have been tested at external laboratories.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcom, infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann and state epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield discussed various issues on the health department’s daily briefing Thursday. One of those topics was the safety surrounding long -erm care facilities and plans to improve going forward.
“On May 14, we had a special webinar to go over new testing and guidance plans, which was extremely well attended, and we have also begun a new partnership with the National Guard to enlist their assistance to do some of this testing,” Malcom said. “National Guard teams have been trained and have the capacity to test up to 2,000 people each day.”
They are also working with the procurement team at the state emergency operation center to help provide more supplies and personal protective equipment for long term care facilities.
Malcom also spoke on the expansion of testing in the state.
“Yesterday we had over 6,200 tests processed by all the labs,” she said. “We have been averaging over 6,400 tests over the last week, so that is a significant improvement over the past couple weeks but not as fast of a growth as we are aiming for in the coming weeks. We are still shooting for that goal of 20,000 tests per week by the first of June.”
As restaurants prepare to reopen  Ehresmann warns residents to continue social distancing. Graduations should also be approached with extreme caution.
“I just want to take a moment to remind schools and the public that the public health guidance that was jointly issued by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Education pertaining to graduation is still in effect,” Ehresmann said. “Just a reminder that the safest way to observe graduation is for everyone to stay home. As Gov. Walz is starting to turn the social dial on activities it is important to remember that large in-person gatherings with people from many different households is the last notch on the dial and unfortunately we are not there yet.”
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (4)
  • Anoka (995)(49)
  • Becker (33)
  • Beltrami (9)
  • Benton (152)(2)
  • Big Stone (3)
  • Blue Earth (104)
  • Brown (10)(2)
  • Carlton (71)
  • Carver (138)
  • Cass (10)
  • Chippewa (37)
  • Chisago (39)(1)
  • Clay (344)(22)
  • Clearwater (2)
  • Cottonwood (59)
  • Crow Wing (38)(1)
  • Dakota (929)(32)
  • Dodge (40)
  • Douglas (24)
  • Faribault (11)
  • Fillmore (17)
  • Freeborn (73)
  • Goodhue (40)
  • Grant (2)
  • Hennepin (6,029)(502)
  • Houston (2)
  • Isanti (20)
  • Itasca (51)
  • Jackson (36)
  • Kanabec (10)
  • Kandiyohi (428)(1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (4)
  • Lac qui Parle (3)
  • Lake (1)
  • Le Sueur (38)
  • Lincoln (4)
  • Lyon (28)
  • Mahnomen (5)(1)
  • Marshall (8)
  • Martin (124)(5)
  • McLeod (21)
  • Meeker (40)
  • Mille Lacs (14)(1)
  • Morrison (32)
  • Mower (87)
  • Murray (33)
  • Nicollet (51)(3)
  • Nobles (1,414)(2)
  • Norman (11)
  • Olmsted (493)(10)
  • Otter Tail (52)
  • Pennington (4)
  • Pine (83)
  • Pipestone (10)
  • Polk (57)
  • Pope (6)
  • Ramsey (1,925)(86)
  • Red Lake (3)
  • Redwood (3)
  • Renville (5)
  • Rice (307)(2)
  • Rock (20)
  • Roseau (1)
  • Scott (298)(2)
  • Sherburne (183)(1)
  • Sibley (12)
  • St. Louis (109)(13)
  • Stearns (1,853)(11)
  • Steele (122)
  • Stevens (0)
  • Swift (14)
  • Todd (116)
  • Traverse (3)
  • Wabasha (16)
  • Wadena (6)
  • Waseca (22)
  • Washington (431)(23)
  • Watonwan (42)
  • Wilkin (11) (3)
  • Winona (75) (15)
  • Wright (200)(1)
  • Yellow Medicine (5)
  • Unknown/missing (34)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.


 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 20, 2020)

Restaurants, bars will be allowed limited outdoor service

As of this morning the Minnesota Department of Health announced that there are 17,670 positive cases in the state and wit 645 newly reported infections. There were 29 newly reported deaths as well.
There have been approximately 167,338 tests completed in external laboratories around the state and MDH Public Health’s laboratory has completed 19,189 tests.
“I can’t stress enough how maddening this is and how frustrating it is that we can’t do the things we want to do but in a time of great uncertainty,” Gov. Tim Walz said. “How we conduct ourselves is the one thing we control and how we conduct ourselves in terms of social distancing, masking, washing our hands, being smart, going to the hospital and being tested has the biggest impact on the spread of this virus.”
Walz added that he believes the state has still not reached the peak of the virus.
Another step towards reopening Minnesota was announced by Walz during the press conference today. On June 1, bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve customers through outdoor dining. Additionally, salons and barbershops will begin measured reopenings by limiting capacity in the businesses.
No more than 50 people will be allowed at outdoor restaurants and party sizes should be kept at four. Reservations will be required and state officials encourage everyone to continue wearing masks.
Personal care services, such as hair salons, tattoo parlors and nail salons, are limiting capacity to 25% of their fire code regulation. Masks are required for both workers and patrons in these settings and no walk-ins will be served.
Camping and the use of charter boats are other outlets for people to enjoy at the beginning of June as long as they are adhering to social distancing rules. Common spaces at campgrounds will undergo different sanitization methods. More information about those methods are available on the DNR website.
Gathering in groups of 10 or less should still be followed, and retail stores should still be adhering to the 50% capacity rule. Churches and places of worship should also be limited to 10 people or less.
“This is a phase approach we are launching,” Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said. “In the next phase, gatherings will go up to 20 or less and restaurants and bars will then move into an indoor setting as well with max capacity at 50%. Masks will be required for both workers and customers. Personal care services will move to 50%. In addition, some outdoor entertainment venues will begin to open, such as movies and concerts in the park and some of those great things about summer.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (4)
·       Anoka (955)(45)
·       Becker (32)
·       Beltrami (9)
·       Benton (148)(2)
·       Big Stone (3)
·       Blue Earth (98)
·       Brown (10)(2)
·       Carlton (70)
·       Carver (131)(2)
·       Cass (11)(2)
·       Chippewa (36)
·       Chisago (38)
·       Clay (328)(21)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (59)
·       Crow Wing (38)(1)
·       Dakota (885)(31)
·       Dodge (40)
·       Douglas (24)
·       Faribault (10)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (67)
·       Goodhue (38)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (5,838)(485)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (20)
·       Itasca (50)
·       Jackson (36)
·       Kanabec (9)
·       Kandiyohi (426)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (5)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (36)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (26)
·       Mahnomen (5)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (123)(5)
·       McLeod (19)
·       Meeker (40)
·       Mille Lacs (15)
·       Morrison (31)
·       Mower (78)(1)
·       Murray (33)
·       Nicollet (44)(3)
·       Nobles (1,396)(2)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (488)(10)
·       Otter Tail (51)
·       Pennington (3)
·       Pine (83)
·       Pipestone (10)
·       Polk (57)(2)
·       Pope (6)
·       Ramsey (1,846)(80)
·       Red Lake (3)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (295)(2)
·       Rock (20)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (291)(2)
·       Sherburne (178)(1)
·       Sibley (11)
·       St. Louis (110)(13)
·       Stearns (1,831)(11)
·       Steele (116)
·       Stevens (0)
·       Swift (13)
·       Todd (110)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (16)
·       Wadena (6)
·       Waseca (22)
·       Washington (414)(21)
·       Watonwan (42)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (75)(15)
·       Wright (198)(1)
·       Yellow Medicine (5)
·       Unknown/missing (32)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 19, 2020)


The Minnesota Department of Health announced 665 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 19 for a total of 17,029 confirmed cases across the state and 17 new reported deaths for a total of 748 deaths. Of those deaths, 608 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities.
According to MDH, 57 new patients were hospitalized as of this morning. Approximately 18,588 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020 and approximately 143,247 have been tested at external laboratories.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcom and infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann led the health department’s daily briefing. Among their message to the public, they strongly advised Minnesota residents to continue wearing masks in public and staying at home as much as possible even though the stay-at-home order has come to an end.
“It is still a very good idea to wear non-medical grade masks whenever you are away from your home, remembering that the reason that we wear masks is to protect each other,” Malcom said.
Malcom mentioned that the department knows some hospitals are preserving personal protective equipment in case of another large outbreak or if numbers were to increase rapidly in the coming days.
“We are aware of situations where staff members are asked to keep a mask and use that mask multiple days and things of that nature,” she said. “We are certainly aware that there is continued dialogue and pressure around that issue.”
Another topic that was discussed was whether or not people are able to receive antibody tests at local hospitals and what those tests results would show.
“There is not any official guidance at this point on who is allowed to get serology tests,” Malcom said.
Another issue that comes up is even if certain locations are offering serology tests, many of those are not approved.
“There are a number of serology tests that are available but a majority of them are not FDA approved at this time,” Malcom said. “People are likely to have the opportunity to get tested in many different locations but we want to make people are aware that these tests are not FDA approved. If there is testing done, we recommend that it is done via laboratory that is doing an FDA approved test like Mayo or the University of Minnesota.”
Ehresmann reminded the public that how much the antibody may protect a person or its full effect against COVID-19 is not entirely understood.
“We don’t know what it means in terms of the duration of protection and how much antibody is necessary or what type of result is sufficient to say you have some level of protection,” Ehresmann said. “There are still so many things unknown that we are not actively promoting this for individuals.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (4)
·       Anoka (919) (42)
·       Becker (32)
·       Beltrami (9)
·       Benton (142) (2)
·       Big Stone (3)
·       Blue Earth (93)
·       Brown (10)(2)
·       Carlton (67)
·       Carver (128)
·       Cass (11)
·       Chippewa (34)
·       Chisago (38)(1)
·       Clay (318)(21)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (59)
·       Crow Wing (30)(1)
·       Dakota (841)(25)
·       Dodge (39)
·       Douglas (23)
·       Faribault (11)
·       Fillmore (17)(1)
·       Freeborn (63)
·       Goodhue (36)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (5,650)(476)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (19)
·       Itasca (49)(6)
·       Jackson (36)
·       Kanabec (9)(1)
·       Kandiyohi (420)(1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (5)(0)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (36)(1)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (26)
·       Mahnomen (3) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (123)(5)
·       McLeod (18)
·       Meeker (38)
·       Mille Lacs (13)(1)
·       Morrison (29)
·       Mower (72)
·       Murray (33)
·       Nicollet (43)(3)
·       Nobles (1,394)(2)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (479)(10)
·       Otter Tail (51)
·       Pennington (3)
·       Pine (83)
·       Pipestone (10)
·       Polk (56)(2)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (1,720)(74)
·       Red Lake (3)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (270)(2)
·       Rock (20)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (271)(1)
·       Sherburne (164)(2)
·       Sibley (10)
·       St. Louis (107)(13)
·       Stearns (1,782)(10)
·       Steele (115)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (13)
·       Todd (87)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (16)
·       Wadena (6)
·       Waseca (21)
·       Washington (398)(19)
·       Watonwan (41)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (75)(15)
·       Wright (182)(1)
·       Yellow Medicine (4)
·       Unknown/missing (35)(0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 18, 2020­)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 705 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 18 for a total of 16,372 confirmed cases across the state and 731 deaths, up nine from Sunday. Of those deaths, 595 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 488 – 229 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 18,456 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 138,150 have been tested at external laboratories.
            In today’s press briefing with Commissioner Jan Malcom and infectious disease division director Kris Ehresmann, the two talked about data points that are showing optimism in the fight against COVID-19, as well as guidelines the public should adhere to as the state begins to reopen.
            First, the time in which it takes for case numbers in Minnesota to double is now at 12 days. This is the longest doubling time spread the department has seen in the last couple weeks.
            “This is not definitive, but it is a positive sign of the stable growth of the pandemic in Minnesota,” Malcom said.
            The hospital cases are also relatively steady.
            “We saw a decrease of 11 hospitalized patients on Saturday and a net increase of one on Sunday,” Malcom said. “The ICU numbers are also relatively stable. Today, over two-thirds of the cumulative cases tracked since March 6 have been released from isolation.”
            While an additional nine deaths were confirmed Monday, it is the lowest daily mortality count for COVID-19 seen in the last month. Of the nine deaths, eight were from long-term care facilities.
            To continue combating the spread of the virus in these facilities, the state introduced a five-point plan last week. The plan implements immediate testing and tracing protocols of all in the facility once a case is confirmed or symptoms are shown.
            “We’re also working to build a robust system for the predictable staffing crisis we’ll likely see in the coming weeks and months,” Malcom said. “We really appreciate the work and interagency collaboration going into improving and strengthening our plan for long-term care facility needs.”
            As Minnesota turns up the dial in reopening, MDH reiterated the importance of following recommendations developed by the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
            “It’s important we continue to be a part of staged reopening,” Malcom said.
            The commissioner went on to mention that if a person is symptomatic with COVID-19, or any disease, that they stay home and isolate.
            “Just because businesses are open and you can stay 6 feet apart and wear a mask does not mean it’s OK to not quarantine or self-isolate when you’ve been exposed to or contracted COVID-19,” she said.
            The public should continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask while in public – both outside and inside – and not gather in a group greater than 10 people which includes family members under the same household.      
            “It is still so important to reduce the risk of exposure wherever and whenever possible,” Malcom said. “The way to live with the virus … is to keep up with the new normal, and the new normal include those key principles needed to guide our behavior.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (4)
·       Anoka (869) (42)
·       Becker (33)
·       Beltrami (9)
·       Benton (138) (2)
·       Big Stone (3)
·       Blue Earth (87)
·       Brown (10) (2)
·       Carlton (66)
·       Carver (117) (2)
·       Cass (10) (2)
·       Chippewa (32)
·       Chisago (37) (1)
·       Clay (310) (20)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cook (0)
·       Cottonwood (58)
·       Crow Wing (30) (1)
·       Dakota (802) (23)
·       Dodge (36)
·       Douglas (21)
·       Faribault (10)
·       Fillmore (17) (1)
·       Freeborn (61)
·       Goodhue (34)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (5,409) (467)
·       Houston (2)
·       Hubbard (0)
·       Isanti (19)
·       Itasca (49) (5)
·       Jackson (36)
·       Kanabec (9)
·       Kandiyohi (415) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (5)
·       Lac qui Parle (3)
·       Lake (1)
·       Lake of the Woods (0)
·       Le Sueur (35) (1)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (26)
·       Mahnomen (5) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (120) (5)
·       McLeod (18)
·       Meeker (36)
·       Mille Lacs (12) (1)
·       Morrison (27)
·       Mower (65)
·       Murray (33)
·       Nicollet (39) (3)
·       Nobles (1,387) (2)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (461) (9)
·       Otter Tail (47)
·       Pennington (2)
·       Pine (83)
·       Pipestone (10)
·       Polk (56) (2)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (1,625) (72)
·       Red Lake (3)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (260) (2)
·       Rock (20)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (259) (1)
·       Sherburne (155) (2)
·       Sibley (10)
·       St. Louis (105) (13)
·       Stearns (1,740) (10)
·       Steele (111)
·       Stevens (0)
·       Swift (13)
·       Todd (73)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (16)
·       Wadena (5)
·       Waseca (20)
·       Washington (378) (19)
·       Watonwan (41)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (75) (15)
·       Wright (172) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (28)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 16, 2020)   

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 740 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 15 for a total of 14,969 confirmed cases across the state and 700 deaths, up 17 from yesterday. Of those deaths, 568 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old.
                  Cases with current hospitalizations are at 493 – 225 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 17,507 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 125,774 have been tested at external laboratories.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (3)
  • Anoka (770) (40)
  • Becker (33)
  • Beltrami (9)
  • Benton (122) (2)
  • Big Stone (2)
  • Blue Earth (79)
  • Brown (10) (2)
  • Carlton (66)
  • Carver (111) (2)
  • Cass (9) (2)
  • Chippewa (28)
  • Chisago (30) (1)
  • Clay (291) (19)
  • Clearwater (2)
  • Cook (0)
  • Cottonwood (54)
  • Crow Wing (24) (1)
  • Dakota (666) (18)
  • Dodge (34)
  • Douglas (18)
  • Faribault (9)
  • Fillmore (17) (1)
  • Freeborn (61)
  • Goodhue (32)
  • Grant (2)
  • Hennepin (4,930) (454)
  • Houston (2)
  • Hubbard (0)
  • Isanti (17)
  • Itasca (43) (4)
  • Jackson (35)
  • Kanabec (9)
  • Kandiyohi (405) (1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (3)
  • Lac qui Parle (2)
  • Lake (1)
  • Lake of the Woods (0)
  • Le Sueur (34) (1)
  • Lincoln (4)
  • Lyon (25)
  • Mahnomen (5) (1)
  • Marshall (8)
  • Martin (117) (5)
  • McLeod (16)
  • Meeker (32)
  • Mille Lacs (9) (1)
  • Morrison (24)
  • Mower (56)
  • Murray (31)
  • Nicollet (33) (2)
  • Nobles (1,353) (2)
  • Norman (11)
  • Olmsted (435) (9)
  • Otter Tail (36)
  • Pennington (1)
  • Pine (83)
  • Pipestone (9)
  • Polk (55) (2)
  • Pope (5)
  • Ramsey (1,416) (67)
  • Red Lake (3)
  • Redwood (3)
  • Renville (5)
  • Rice (221) (2)
  • Rock (20)
  • Roseau (1)
  • Scott (223) (1)
  • Sherburne (144) (1)
  • Sibley (7)
  • St. Louis (101) (12)
  • Stearns (1,675) (10)
  • Steele (100)
  • Stevens (0)
  • Swift (12)
  • Todd (52)
  • Traverse (3)
  • Wabasha (16)
  • Wadena (4)
  • Waseca (20)
  • Washington (326) (18)
  • Watonwan (36)
  • Wilkin (11) (3)
  • Winona (75) (15)
  • Wright (152) (1)
  • Yellow Medicine (3)
  • Unknown/missing (28)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Walz to let stay-at-home order expire May 18

Implementing ‘Stay Safe Minnesota’ in its place
By Jakob Kounkel
            FOLEY – “Yes, the stay-at-home order is expiring and the dials are turning, but that doesn’t mean we’re care-free and can return to the way things were,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to Minnesotans on a 17-minute livestream May 13. “It means we have to stay safe, take care, care for our own health and for your neighbor.”
            Stay Safe Minnesota takes three factors into account when considering how to reopen a business after the stay-at-home order expires May 18, said Walz. First, the proximity between people at a given setting or activity. Second, how long people are in the same place within close proximity, and third, how predictable that setting is. As an example, Walz said walking past somebody wearing a mask in a hardware store is more predictable than sitting down in a crowded restaurant.
            Noncritical businesses, like retail stores and main street businesses, can reopen if they have a plan to safely return to operations at no more than 50% capacity. Walz pleaded that businesses owners should follow the new guidance, even though he is not requiring Minnesotans to wear masks or setting a time limit on how long a person can be in a store.
            Restrictions on bars, restaurants, hair salons, theaters and other related businesses are staying in place for the time being.
            “Stay Safe Minnesota will still ask people: Stay close to home, limit travel to what’s essential, but we can now gather with friends and family of less than 10,” Walz said, adding that, even when with family, it is important to remain 6 feet apart.
            The decision comes after more than one month of Minnesota residents and businesses operating under a stay-at-home order. Although Walz said the situation is fluid and stressed that Minnesotans need to be prepared to dial it back again, he also said people in this state worked hard to allow for an increase in health care capacity, testing and personal protective equipment.
            “We’ve turned the dial on businesses, we’ve turned the dial on social life,” Walz said. “We’re doing that because we’re trusting people to stay safe by making smart choices. However, we know that this will mean that more people will get sick and some will end up in the hospital. We’ve prepared for that inevitability.”
            Increases in intensive care unit capacity, ventilators, masks, gowns and gloves coupled with strategies for protecting the most vulnerable populations and future hotspots – all curated during the stay-at-home order – was Walz’s reasoning for loosening restrictions.
           
 
May14confirmed cases

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 14, 2020­)


            The Minnesota Department of Health announced 523 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 14 for a total of 13,435 confirmed cases across the state and 663 deaths, up 25 from yesterday. Of the deaths, 537 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 494 – 199 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 15,584 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 106,541 have been tested at external laboratories.
            With a renewed focus on testing, Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Joe Kelly said the state is deploying the National Guard to collect test samples that the Minnesota Department of Public Health and other private health systems can then process for results. Also, State Epidemiologist and Medical Director Dr. Ruth Lynfield said the state is going to start seeing regular shipments of Remdesivir, a potential treatment option for severely ill COVID-19 patients.
            Twenty members of the Minnesota National Guard, mobilized by Gov. Tim Walz, received orders to help issue personal protective equipment and perform nasopharyngeal swabbing for collection.
            “The bottom line is if you are being tested by a National Guard member, you can relax and you can know that you are being tested by capable hands,” Kelly said.
            The National Guard members are medical professionals in many cases, although not doctors. Some work as emergency medical technicians and all have completed four months of training related to patient care. They would be combat medics in the field or aerospace medics, Kelly said, emphasizing that they are not untrained.
            With increased testing capabilities will come a clearer picture of the needs of Minnesotans suffering from COVID-19. Those that have been confirmed to have the coronavirus and are in severe condition, like those on ventilators, will be getting doses of Remdesivir. This is a drug that helps transition patients out of the hospital faster. All states are being supplied by the federal government depending on the amount of coronavirus patients in their hospitals.
            “We do not know how much we will get on a given week and we will not know when we are getting it on a particular week,” Lynfield said.
            After this week, the state will get daily shipments for the next four weeks.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (2)
·       Anoka (678) (35)
·       Becker (30)
·       Beltrami (8)
·       Benton (109) (2)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (71)
·       Brown (10) (2)
·       Carlton (66)
·       Carver (103) (1)
·       Cass (9) (2)
·       Chippewa (27)
·       Chisago (25) (1)
·       Clay (273) (18)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (51)
·       Crow Wing (24) (1)
·       Dakota (562) (16)
·       Dodge (28)
·       Douglas (17)
·       Faribault (9)
·       Fillmore (16) (1)
·       Freeborn (52)
·       Goodhue (29)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (4,331) (441)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (11)
·       Itasca (41) (2)
·       Jackson (34)
·       Kanabec (10)
·       Kandiyohi (386) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (3)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (31) (1)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (22)
·       Mahnomen (5) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (113) (4)
·       McLeod (15)
·       Meeker (24)
·       Mille Lacs (7) (1)
·       Morrison (21)
·       Mower (50)
·       Murray (30)
·       Nicollet (23) (2)
·       Nobles (1,319) (2)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (399) (9)
·       Otter Tail (33)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (80)
·       Pipestone (9)
·       Polk (55) (2)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (1,167) (56)
·       Red Lake (2)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (181) (2)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (186) (1)
·       Sherburne (130) (1)
·       Sibley (4)
·       St. Louis (100) (12)
·       Stearns (1,609) (9)
·       Steele (85)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (10)
·       Todd (46)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (16)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (18)
·       Washington (282) (18)
·       Watonwan (32)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (74) (15)
·       Wright (130) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (21)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 
May13confirmed cases

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 13, 2020­)

The Minnesota Department of Health announced 431 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 13 for a total of 12,917 confirmed cases across the state and 638 deaths, up 24 from yesterday. Of those deaths, 517 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 44 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 494 – 199 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 15,584 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 106,541 have been tested at external laboratories.
            In preparation for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s address to the state tonight, the Minnesota Department of Health, with the help of State Health Economist Stefon Gildemeister explained, the third and most updated version of COVID-19 modeling.
            “The data is only as good as the evidence that has emerged,” Gildemeister said right away, squashing any perceptions that the model is perfect. “And the model is only as good as the data we feed it.”
            The first iteration of the model in March was based on early data available at the time, which did not include state specific data as Minnesota had less than a triple-digit confirmed case count throughout the majority of the month. The second version of the model made available in April included data more specific to Minnesota.
            The third version, released today, integrates new details and capabilities for ongoing, continuous model updates. It includes new model capabilities, updated for results of the stay-at-home order, testing and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for returning to work.
The new version of the model incorporates five key changes.
First, structural changes will address asymptomatic infections and deaths occurring outside of a hospital, like an assisted living setting. Second, the model is now redefining what it means to be in an intensive care unit. Instead of anybody taking up an ICU bed, the model now only defines ICU capacity as those who are using a ventilator, based off recommendations from healthcare professionals.
            The third key change is to update new parameter estimates using newly available data from around the country. The fourth change piggybacks off the third, incorporating new calibrated parameters including the proportion of 70-year-olds and over dying in non-hospital settings, like congregate living sites. It also includes new parameters for the results of social distancing and the stay-at-home order. Last, the model is now more specific to deaths and hospitalizations in Minnesota through April 25 as opposed to older, less reliable data from previous months.
            The changes resulted in model outputs that display less time to peak pandemic than previously thought and upward movement in estimates for ICU demand and full-epidemic mortality. It also found that mitigation efforts have been less effective than originally estimated. Initial physical distancing, which has not yet aggregated data from the more COVID-19 laden month of May, was only 38% effective as opposed to the estimated 50%. The stay-at-home order was only 59.5% effective as opposed to the estimated 80%.
            Although the data seems definitive, Gildemeister and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm cautioned that the numbers and dates are supposed to be used to display a broader trend to help inform policy decisions rather than being used as precise measurement.
            “It’s certainly our intent to be clear with the data,” Malcolm said.
            To find the third version of the COVID-19 model and other data the state is using to help inform policy decisions, visit the department of health’s COVID-19 portal on their website.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (2)
·       Anoka (640) (33)
·       Becker (28)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (102) (2)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (69)
·       Brown (10) (1)
·       Carlton (65)
·       Carver (99) (1)
·       Cass (8) (2)
·       Chippewa (26)
·       Chisago (25) (1)
·       Clay (256) (17)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (47)
·       Crow Wing (23) (1)
·       Dakota (524) (15)
·       Dodge (26)
·       Douglas (17)
·       Faribault (8)
·       Fillmore (14) (1)
·       Freeborn (47)
·       Goodhue (27)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (4,183) (426)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (10)
·       Itasca (40) (2)
·       Jackson (33)
·       Kanabec (11)
·       Kandiyohi (383) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (2)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (31) (1)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (22)
·       Mahnomen (3) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (113) (4)
·       McLeod (15)
·       Meeker (23)
·       Mille Lacs (7) (1)
·       Morrison (18)
·       Mower (48)
·       Murray (30)
·       Nicollet (23) (2)
·       Nobles (1,290) (2)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (385) (9)
·       Otter Tail (27)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (73)
·       Pipestone (8)
·       Polk (55)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (1,124) (55)
·       Red Lake (2)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (153) (2)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (177) (1)
·       Sherburne (126) (1)
·       Sibley (4)
·       St. Louis (99) (12)
·       Stearns (1,558) (7)
·       Steele (77)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (10)
·       Todd (44)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (15)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (18)
·       Washington (274) (17)
·       Watonwan (30)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (72) (15)
·       Wright (124) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (17)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 12, 2020­)

May12confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 695 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 12 for a total of 12,494 confirmed cases across the state and 614 deaths, up 23 from yesterday. Of those deaths, 501 were from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 44 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 496 – 199 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 15,229 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 105,605 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Without anything new to report, the Minnesota Department of Health’s Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann said the state is updating its website regarding information related to COVID-19.
            The new page will launch tomorrow.
            “This data is of interest to a lot of people and we are working to make sure it’s understandable,” Ehresmann said.
            At the top of the new page, it will have a box that highlights the overall cumulative confirmed case count as well as new information on cases and deaths. It will be easier to find at a glance, said Ehresmann.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (2)
·       Anoka (613) (31)
·       Becker (25)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (100) (2)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (67)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (65)
·       Carver (95) (1)
·       Cass (8) (2)
·       Chippewa (21)
·       Chisago (23) (1)
·       Clay (254) (17)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (47)
·       Crow Wing (23) (1)
·       Dakota (508) (15)
·       Dodge (26)
·       Douglas (17)
·       Faribault (10)
·       Fillmore (14) (1)
·       Freeborn (46)
·       Goodhue (26)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (4,033) (412)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (10)
·       Itasca (35) (2)
·       Jackson (33)
·       Kanabec (10)
·       Kandiyohi (367) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (2)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (31) (1)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (20)
·       Mahnomen (3) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (112) (4)
·       McLeod (14)
·       Meeker (23)
·       Mille Lacs (7) (1)
·       Morrison (16)
·       Mower (45)
·       Murray (29)
·       Nicollet (22) (2)
·       Nobles (1,291) (2)
·       Norman (11)
·       Olmsted (378) (9)
·       Otter Tail (25)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (73)
·       Pipestone (7)
·       Polk (54)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (1,052) (49)
·       Red Lake (2)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (134) (2)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (168) (1)
·       Sherburne (122) (1)
·       Sibley (4)
·       St. Louis (96) (12)
·       Stearns (1,512) (6)
·       Steele (73)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (9)
·       Todd (42)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (13)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (16)
·       Washington (266) (16)
·       Watonwan (28)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (71) (15)
·       Wright (119) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (30) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 11, 2020­)

1 confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 528 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 11 for a total of 11,799 confirmed cases across the state and 591 deaths, up 13 from yesterday. Of those deaths, 472 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 44 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 452 – 194 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 14,951 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 100,830 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and infectious disease coordinator Kris Ehresmann invited state epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield to the health department’s daily briefing for a piece of good news: the state received its first shipment of Remdesivir – an anti-viral drug that was recently permitted by the Food and Drug Administration to fight against COVID-19.
            “Minnesota received a small initial shipment of Remdesivir this weekend from the federal government,” Lynfield said. “This drug offers a treatment option for people with COVID-19 infection.”
            Although Lynfield highlighted the fact that it was a relatively small shipment of the drug, she also said it is a common drug used as another option that so far has promising results. Not only do early studies show the drug fights the disease, but it also shortens, by days, the amount of time a person is fighting the infection in a hospital, said Lynfield.
This means that COVID-19 positive patients will recover faster and it means expanded hospital capacity.
            The initial allotment was 1,200 viles of the drug, but more will be coming tomorrow, said Lynfield. It will be given to those who have the most severe cases of the coronavirus who also have the best chance at surviving if the drug is administered. Lynfield also noted that the number of viles is not equivalent to the number of patients that can be treated with the drug. In the vast majority of cases, multiple viles of the drug need to be used per patient, depending on the treatment cycle.
            With a heightened curiosity into the state’s case investigation practices, Ehresmann provided a brief update into how case investigation is materializing. She said investigating the origins and setting of a laboratory confirmed case is just as important as investigating the illness in terms of mitigating the pandemic.
            “It’s a tool that’s an important one in investigating outbreaks,” Ehresmann said, but noting that some people choose not to comply with the state’s wishes. “We really need Minnesotans to participate in these interviews.”
            Investigations include contact tracing. The state is ramping up the amount of case investigators the state has to 460 by the end of the week, said Ehresmann said. This will bolster the state’s efforts to conduct tracing 48 hours previous to symptoms appearing. Minnesota has a lot of cases concentrated in meat processing and manufacturing plants, as well as in congregate living settings, which will also be a focus of case investigation.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (2)
·       Anoka (571) (29)
·       Becker (25)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (93) (2)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (67)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (64)
·       Carver (92)
·       Cass (8)
·       Chippewa (14)
·       Chisago (20) (1)
·       Clay (247) (17)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (47)
·       Crow Wing (23) (1)
·       Dakota (471) (15)
·       Dodge (26)
·       Douglas (16)
·       Faribault (10)
·       Fillmore (13) (1)
·       Freeborn (46)
·       Goodhue (25)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (3,744) (398)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (8)
·       Itasca (33)
·       Jackson (33)
·       Kanabec (10)
·       Kandiyohi (316) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (2)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (30)
·       Lincoln (4)
·       Lyon (18)
·       Mahnomen (3) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (112) (4)
·       McLeod (13)
·       Meeker (21)
·       Mille Lacs (7) (1)
·       Morrison (14)
·       Mower (45)
·       Murray (29)
·       Nicollet (21) (2)
·       Nobles (1,269) (2)
·       Norman (10)
·       Olmsted (374) (9)
·       Otter Tail (25)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (73)
·       Pipestone (7)
·       Polk (53)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (986) (47)
·       Red Lake (2)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (126) (2)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (155) (1)
·       Sherburne (114) (1)
·       Sibley (4)
·       St. Louis (96) (12)
·       Stearns (1,443) (6)
·       Steele (65)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (8)
·       Todd (38)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (13)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (16)
·       Washington (256) (15)
·       Watonwan (25)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (71) (15)
·       Wright (110) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (25) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 9, 2020­)

May9confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 702 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 9 for a total of 10,790 confirmed cases across the state and 558 deaths, up 24 from yesterday. Of those deaths, 449 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 44 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 476 – 180 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 14,651 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 91,612 have been tested at external laboratories.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (2)
·       Anoka (518) (29)
·       Becker (25)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (87) (2)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (64)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (64)
·       Carver (78)
·       Cass (8)
·       Chippewa (5)
·       Chisago (19) (1)
·       Clay (233) (16)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (45)
·       Crow Wing (24) (1)
·       Dakota (408) (15)
·       Dodge (24)
·       Douglas (15)
·       Faribault (10)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (43)
·       Goodhue (25)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (3,379) (374)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (7)
·       Itasca (25)
·       Jackson (31)
·       Kanabec (9)
·       Kandiyohi (276) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (28)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (17)
·       Mahnomen (2) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (112) (4)
·       McLeod (8)
·       Meeker (21)
·       Mille Lacs (7) (1)
·       Morrison (13)
·       Mower (42)
·       Murray (27)
·       Nicollet (21) (2)
·       Nobles (1,230) (2)
·       Norman (9)
·       Olmsted (363) (9)
·       Otter Tail (23)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (69)
·       Pipestone (7)
·       Polk (48)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (875) (43)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (102) (1)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (129) (1)
·       Sherburne (107) (1)
·       Sibley (3)
·       St. Louis (91) (12)
·       Stearns (1,348) (5)
·       Steele (58)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (3)
·       Todd (33)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (13)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (16)
·       Washington (231) (14)
·       Watonwan (22)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (70) (15)
·       Wright (92) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (17) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 8, 2020­)

3 confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 723 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 8 for a total of 10,088 confirmed cases across the state and 534 deaths, up 26 from yesterday. Of those deaths, 434 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 45 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 473 – 198 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 14,397 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 86,873 have been tested at external laboratories.
            New guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Office of Higher Education, in consultation with the health department, bans in-person graduation and commencement ceremonies held indoors or outside in stadiums or football fields.
            “I have pushed incredibly hard on this to find solutions,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. “With Minnesota still growing (in infections and deaths), to gather in a crowded place is, at this point in time, certainly a catalyst for spread.”
            Walz, a former teacher, emphasized that Minnesota is still increasing in case numbers – something he said Minnesotans need to be aware of as other states are starting to see declines.
            The state’s top recommendation is for school districts to devise a means of meeting virtually and remotely, ensuring attendees do not need to leave their homes.
            “These gatherings are not considered safe at any size and will not be permitted,” the guidance statement reads. “Likewise, indoor graduations (or) commencement ceremonies will also not be permitted.”
            Although the way Americans have come to understand a traditional graduation ceremony is seemingly impossible during the pandemic, unless schools decide to delay the ceremonies, the three departments’ guidance details how to host graduation and commencement ceremonies in parking lots and as a car parade safely.
            “The health and safety of our students and their families will always be our top priority,” said Mary Cathryn Ricker, Education Commissioner. “This year’s graduation ceremonies will look different than they traditionally do, and I am confident our schools will find creative ways to recognize the incredible work and commitment of our graduating students.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (2)
·       Anoka (477) (27)
·       Becker (22)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (76) (2)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (55)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (64)
·       Carver (69)
·       Cass (7)
·       Chippewa (5)
·       Chisago (18) (1)
·       Clay (229) (15)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (43)
·       Crow Wing (24) (1)
·       Dakota (364) (12)
·       Dodge (24)
·       Douglas (15)
·       Faribault (7)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (41)
·       Goodhue (25)
·       Grant (2)
·       Hennepin (3,153) (362)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (7)
·       Itasca (24)
·       Jackson (29)
·       Kanabec (5)
·       Kandiyohi (261) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (28)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (16)
·       Mahnomen (2) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (111) (4)
·       McLeod (8)
·       Meeker (20)
·       Mille Lacs (6) (1)
·       Morrison (12)
·       Mower (37)
·       Murray (26)
·       Nicollet (18) (2)
·       Nobles (1,177) (2)
·       Norman (9)
·       Olmsted (351) (9)
·       Otter Tail (21)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (61)
·       Pipestone (6)
·       Polk (45)
·       Pope (5)
·       Ramsey (800) (42)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (81) (1)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (121) (1)
·       Sherburne (95) (1)
·       Sibley (3)
·       St. Louis (90) (12)
·       Stearns (1,274) (4)
·       Steele (45)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (3)
·       Todd (29)
·       Traverse (3)
·       Wabasha (13)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (13)
·       Washington (211) (12)
·       Watonwan (19)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (68) (15)
·       Wright (83) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (31) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 7, 2020­)

2 confirmed cases
 The Minnesota Department of Health announced 728 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 7 for a total of 9,365 confirmed cases across the state and 508 deaths, up 23 from yesterday. Of those total deaths, 407 are from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 45 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 435 – 182 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 14,061 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 83,360 have been tested at external laboratories.
            With a renewed focus on congregate care settings, where 15% of the state’s confirmed cases come from and 80% of deaths, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced a new, five-step plan to fight against COVID-19 spreading throughout Minnesota’s congregate care sites.
            “We’re ready to go full force with a battle plan on dealing with these long-term care facilities,” Walz said. “We’re prepared to go on the offensive.”
            The five step plans includes new and revamped efforts to expand testing for residents and workers, getting personal protective equipment, providing testing support and troubleshooting, ensuring adequate staffing levels, and leveraging existing partnerships.
            Although the governor has already announced increasing testing capacity to be able to test every symptomatic person in Minnesota, the state is issuing new guidance on testing, screening and monitoring at congregate care sites. The biggest change is that once a case in confirmed in a long term care facility, for example, the state is going to make facility-wide testing available for both residents and staff, said Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm.
            In providing test support and troubleshooting, as Walz called it, the state is using the conglomeration of health systems to help further expand testing capacity on site and conducting follow up.
            Walz said his administration is working to maintain state-managed stockpiles of personal protective equipment for emergency use when a congregate care facility exhausts its resources. He said that these facilities do not normally have a need to stockpile protective equipment, so helping them acquire much needed supplies and educating staff on how to use it is an important step in the plan.
            Some sites have had trouble getting enough staffing to support the health needs of residents, especially the facilities in crisis. Malcolm said the state could establish a fund and contracts to support getting more workers into facilities. She said the nature of the job – skilled work with little pay – makes it hard to get adequate staffing levels. Included in this step is also making use of the National Guard and using databases to match healthcare workers and volunteers to fill shifts.
            Lastly, Walz said it will be important to use and leverage established partnerships with local public health departments to coordinate on-site technical assistance.
            “Now that we have the resources and the knowledge, we’re taking this fight to it,” Walz said.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (426) (27)
·       Becker (18)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (64) (1)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (55)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (62)
·       Carver (58)
·       Cass (7)
·       Chippewa (5)
·       Chisago (14) (1)
·       Clay (222) (15)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (43)
·       Crow Wing (23) (1)
·       Dakota (322) (12)
·       Dodge (21)
·       Douglas (14)
·       Faribault (7)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (39)
·       Goodhue (25)
·       Grant (1)
·       Hennepin (2,962) (342)
·       Houston (2)
·       Isanti (7)
·       Itasca (24)
·       Jackson (29)
·       Kandiyohi (238) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Lake (1)
·       Le Sueur (28)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (15)
·       Mahnomen (2) (1)
·       Marshall (8)
·       Martin (111) (4)
·       McLeod (6)
·       Meeker (18)
·       Mille Lacs (6) (1)
·       Morrison (11)
·       Mower (36)
·       Murray (25)
·       Nicollet (18) (2)
·       Nobles (1,153) (2)
·       Norman (9)
·       Olmsted (336) (8)
·       Otter Tail (21)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (61)
·       Pipestone (5)
·       Polk (43)
·       Pope (3)
·       Ramsey (717) (39)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (48) (1)
·       Rock (19)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (100) (1)
·       Sherburne (88) (1)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (89) (11)
·       Stearns (1,161) (4)
·       Steele (37)
·       Stevens (1)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (26)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (12)
·       Wadena (4)
·       Waseca (12)
·       Washington (193) (12)
·       Watonwan (18)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (68) (15)
·       Wright (73) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (20) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 6, 2020­)

May6confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 728 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 6 for a total of 8,579 confirmed cases across the state and 485 deaths, up 30 from yesterday. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 46 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 443 – 180 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 13,738 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 79,494 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Minnesota Commissioner of the Department of Administration Alice Roberts-Davis said even though the marketplace is still extremely competitive to obtain personal protective equipment, the state has gained breathing room and established more reliable supply chains for the critical protective wear.
            “The stay-at-home order bought us valuable time to get these supplies and we’re appreciative for that,” Roberts-Davis said.
            Over the last several weeks, Roberts-Davis said the state has purchased, processed donations and received federal stockpile shipments totaling millions of pieces of PPE.          
            With the increased amount of the protective equipment, like masks, gowns and shields, the state has been able to replenish hospitals’ supply of equipment when their supplies will only last four to seven more days. The policy was previously zero to three days, but since the state has been able to acquire more reliable supply streams, it has been able to loosen those restrictions. Hospitals are still expected to stick as close to their own supply chains as possible, Davis-Roberts said.
            “I have to say that at 3, 4, 5 in the morning when other parts of the world are wide awake, so was our team,” Roberts-Davis said. “They were up making calls and vetting leads for products that could come to our state.”
           
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (382) (24)
·       Becker (16)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (59) (1)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (53)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (61)
·       Carver (51)
·       Cass (7)
·       Chippewa (4)
·       Chisago (14) (1)
·       Clay (215) (14)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (42)
·       Crow Wing (21) (1)
·       Dakota (292) (12)
·       Dodge (21)
·       Douglas (12)
·       Faribault (8)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (38)
·       Goodhue (23)
·       Grant (1)
·       Hennepin (2,764) (325)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (7)
·       Itasca (24)
·       Jackson (25)
·       Kandiyohi (211) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Le Sueur (26)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (11)
·       Mahnomen (2) (1)
·       Marshall (7)
·       Martin (111) (4)
·       McLeod (6)
·       Meeker (18)
·       Mille Lacs (5) (1)
·       Morrison (9)
·       Mower (35)
·       Murray (20)
·       Nicollet (17) (2)
·       Nobles (1,082) (2)
·       Norman (9)
·       Olmsted (322) (8)
·       Otter Tail (19)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (61)
·       Pipestone (4)
·       Polk (43)
·       Pope (1)
·       Ramsey (656) (38)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (6)
·       Rice (30) (1)
·       Rock (18)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (90) (1)
·       Sherburne (80) (1)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (86) (11)
·       Stearns (975) (3)
·       Steele (29)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (18)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (10)
·       Wadena (3)
·       Waseca (7)
·       Washington (181) (12)
·       Watonwan (15)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (68) (15)
·       Wright (69) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (11) (0)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 5, 2020­)

May5confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 617 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 5 for a total of 7,851 confirmed cases across the state and 455 deaths, up 27 from yesterday. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 46 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 434 – 182 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 13,472 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 74,537 have been tested at external laboratories.
            In a month’s time, the state of Minnesota’s projected surplus of $1.5 billion fell to a deficit of $2.43 billion due its response to COVID-19. Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget Myron Frans said the state will likely pull from its reserves which has more than $3 billion in funding.
            “We need to know what we’re facing,” Gov. Tim Walz said. “It’s important to take stock where the economy is.”
            Over the last nine years, Frans said the state has worked to build the fund to where it is today, taking around one-third of the state’s budget surplus every year to help increase funding for a potential catastrophe. The fund has more money in it than anytime in Minnesota’s history.
            Although Frans warned against using the entire fund to essentially break even, he also said the fund should be used for rainy days.
            “Today is a rainy day, unfortunately,” Frans said.
            Minnesota State Economist Dr. Laura Kalambokidis said the economic contraction, caused by a lack in consumer spending, lost tax revenue, social distancing policies and volatile markets, among other things, has put the state through serious financial hardship.
            “The disease outbreak, the restrictions applied to slow its spread, and the U.S. and global economic contractions have rocked Minnesota’s economy,” Kalambokidis said.
            Walz also signed an executive order today allowing for what he hopes to be a safe return to elective surgeries. Starting next week, doctors, dentists and veterinarians who can make a plan to keep staff and patients safe will be allowed to begin offering elective procedures. Walz said elective surgeries can treat chronic conditions, prevent and cure disease, and relieve chronic pain.
            “We are going to make a calculated risk and a calculated choice to bring those elective surgeries back,” Walz said.
            Conceding the move may pose a risk and health care workers are nervous about it. Walz said the state’s efforts in social mitigation, stockpiling equipment and expanding hospital capacity makes him confident about the executive decision.
            “Minnesota has made significant progress in building up critical resources to combat COVID-19,” Walz said. “We’re proud that this progress will allow our medical professionals to safely resume certain procedures to keep Minnesotans healthy and improve their quality of life.”
           
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (344) (20)
·       Becker (15)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (48) (1)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (51)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (60)
·       Carver (39)
·       Cass (7)
·       Chippewa (3)
·       Chisago (13) (1)
·       Clay (201) (14)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (41)
·       Crow Wing (21) (1)
·       Dakota (241) (11)
·       Dodge (21)
·       Douglas (10)
·       Faribault (7)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (37)
·       Goodhue (23)
·       Hennepin (2,519) (303)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (13)
·       Jackson (25)
·       Kandiyohi (200) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Le Sueur (26)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (10)
·       Mahnomen (2)
·       Marshall (7)
·       Martin (110) (4)
·       McLeod (5)
·       Meeker (17)
·       Mille Lacs (4) (1)
·       Morrison (7)
·       Mower (33)
·       Murray (20)
·       Nicollet (16) (2)
·       Nobles (1,069) (1)
·       Norman (9)
·       Olmsted (313) (8)
·       Otter Tail (19)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (60)
·       Pipestone (4)
·       Polk (42)
·       Pope (1)
·       Ramsey (583) (37)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (30) (1)
·       Rock (18)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (74) (1)
·       Sherburne (71) (1)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (81) (11)
·       Stearns (815) (2)
·       Steele (24)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (15)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (10)
·       Wadena (3)
·       Waseca (6)
·       Washington (162) (12)
·       Watonwan (15)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (68) (15)
·       Wright (60) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
·       Unknown/missing (22) (1)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 4, 2020­)

May4confirmed cases
Over the weekend, the Minnesota Department of Health announced 933 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 48 deaths. On May 4, MDH announced 571 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 7,234 confirmed cases across the state and 428 deaths, up nine from yesterday. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 47 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 396 – 166 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 13,241 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 72,700 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Gov. Tim Walz announced a new executive order today that will help those experiencing financial hardships resulting from COVID-19.
            “I want to thank Commissioner (Steve) Grove, I want to thank the federal government and the administration for moving quickly on unemployment benefits, the extras that went into that,” Walz said. “But there’s still some situations for folks, because of the situation they’re in, who were getting their wages garnished during this time.”
            Walz said the executive order and a more detailed plan to reopen is the result of collaboration between business leaders, state government and financial institutions that are trying to strike an equitable balance.
            Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said, in collaborating with various sectors of public and private business, there has been a lot of detailed conversation about what reopening Minnesota’s economy looks like.
            On a slideshow at the governor’s daily briefing today, Grove highlighted the regular, targeted economic conversations the state is having with business leaders in entertainment, gyms, restaurants and bars, salons and barbershops, sporting venues, and more to make preparations to reopen in a viable and safe way.
            Grove also said that Minnesotans need to have a say in reopening, so the state created an online platform to share ideas with government officials. The website can be accessed here.
            “To be One Minnesota, we have to hear from Minnesotans,” Grove said.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (299) (17)
·       Becker (13)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (35) (1)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (50)
·       Brown (9) (1)
·       Carlton (60)
·       Carver (27)
·       Cass (7)
·       Chippewa (3)
·       Chisago (13) (1)
·       Clay (190) (13)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (27)
·       Crow Wing (21) (1)
·       Dakota (215) (11)
·       Dodge (21)
·       Douglas (7)
·       Faribault (7)
·       Fillmore (13) (1)
·       Freeborn (36)
·       Goodhue (23)
·       Grant (1)
·       Hennepin (2,298) (284)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (12)
·       Jackson (24)
·       Kandiyohi (188) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (2)
·       Le Sueur (26)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (9)
·       Mahnomen (2)
·       Marshall (7)
·       Martin (108) (4)
·       McLeod (4)
·       Meeker (17)
·       Mille Lacs (3) (1)
·       Morrison (6)
·       Mower (32)
·       Murray (17)
·       Nicollet (16) (2)
·       Nobles (1,011) (1)
·       Norman (9)
·       Olmsted (305) (8)
·       Otter Tail (18)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (60)
·       Pipestone (4)
·       Polk (42)
·       Ramsey (535) (34)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (5)
·       Rice (24) (1)
·       Rock (16)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (63) (1)
·       Sherburne (61)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (79) (11)
·       Stearns (728) (2)
·       Steele (24)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (15)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (10)
·       Wadena (2)
·       Waseca (6)
·       Washington (152) (12)
·       Watonwan (15)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (67) (15)
·       Wright (54) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota’s coronavirus status (May 2, 2020)



            The Minnesota Department of Health announced 498 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 2 for a total of 6,228 confirmed cases across the state. Of those, 2,397 no longer need to be in isolation.
            MDH also reported 395 deaths, up 24 from yesterday. Of those who died, 21 were in long-term care facilities, with one individual in their 40s. This Anoka County resident had no underlying health conditions and was not in long-term care.
            Total cases range in age from less than 1 month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 48 years old.
            Cases with current hospitalizations are at 389 – 135 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 12,869 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 66,138 have been tested at external laboratories.
           
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
  • Aitkin (1)
  • Anoka (260) (14)
  • Becker (10)
  • Beltrami (6)
  • Benton (29) (1)
  • Big Stone (2)
  • Blue Earth (41)
  • Brown (8) (1)
  • Carlton (59)
  • Carver (25)
  • Cass (7)
  • Chippewa (2)
  • Chisago (13) (1)
  • Clay (169) (13)
  • Clearwater (2)
  • Cottonwood (27)
  • Crow Wing (21) (1)
  • Dakota (189) (11)
  • Dodge (22)
  • Douglas (3)
  • Faribault (6)
  • Fillmore (13) (1)
  • Freeborn (35)
  • Goodhue (21)
  • Grant (1)         
  • Hennepin (1,980) (259)
  • Houston (1)
  • Isanti (6)
  • Itasca (7)
  • Jackson (18)
  • Kanabec (1)
  • Kandiyohi (145) (1)
  • Kittson (1)
  • Koochiching (1)
  • Lac qui Parle (1)
  • Le Sueur (25)
  • Lincoln (3)
  • Lyon (8)
  • Mahnomen (2)
  • Marshall (3)
  • Martin (110) (4)
  • McLeod (4)
  • Meeker (14)
  • Mille Lacs (2) (1)
  • Morrison (6)
  • Mower (28)
  • Murray (16)
  • Nicollet (15) (2)
  • Nobles (899) (1)
  • Norman (8)
  • Olmsted (282) (8)
  • Otter Tail (17)
  • Pennington (1)
  • Pine (58)
  • Pipestone (3)
  • Polk (36)
  • Ramsey (453) (31)
  • Red Lake (1)
  • Redwood (3)
  • Renville (5)
  • Rice (18) (1)
  • Rock (16)
  • Roseau (1)
  • Scott (52) (1)
  • Sherburne (50)
  • Sibley (2)
  • St. Louis (74) (11)
  • Stearns (531)
  • Steele (20)
  • Swift (2)
  • Todd (8)
  • Traverse (2)
  • Wabasha (10)
  • Wadena (1)
  • Waseca (5)
  • Washington (142) (12)
  • Watonwan (14)
  • Wilkin (11) (3)
  • Winona (67) (15)
  • Wright (48) (1)
  • Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (May 1, 2020­)
 

2 confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 594 new positive cases of COVID-19 May 1 for a total of 5,730 confirmed cases across the state and 371 deaths, up 28 from yesterday. Cases range from less than 1 month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 48 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 369 – 118 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 12,592 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 62,237 have been tested at external laboratories.
            In each of the last four days, the amount of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus has been drastically more than the last. While MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the state does not want to see new infections, the spike in confirmed cases is expected as testing ramps up.
            Testing capacity to diagnose the virus has also risen sharply, where just a couple weeks ago the state was testing no more than 1,500 people per day. Today, MDH reported more than 4,000 tests — the highest single-day increase since the beginning of the outbreak.
            Malcolm said the results the state is getting, referring to the increase in infections, is good for two reasons: first, it means MDH will have a clearer picture of the virus’s grip on the state, and secondly, it means the state will have more data to allocate resources to hot spots.
            “This is going to contribute to help not only make sure … every person who is symptomatic in Minnesota can get tested, but it will also be able to help us fine tune,” Malcolm said.
            Also related to testing capacity, MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann said the state is getting more access to nasopharyngeal swabs, a special kind of swab inserted through the nose, which is important to collect samples to be sent for testing.
           
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (231) (11)
·       Becker (5)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (21) (1)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (38)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (59)
·       Carver (21)
·       Cass (5)
·       Chippewa (2)
·       Chisago (12) (1)
·       Clay (165) (11)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (23)
·       Crow Wing (21) (1)
·       Dakota (171) (11)
·       Dodge (22)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (5)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (35)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,829) (243)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (6)
·       Jackson (16)
·       Kandiyohi (135) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (25)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (7)
·       Mahnomen (2)
·       Marshall (2)
·       Martin (111) (4)
·       McLeod (4)
·       Meeker (14)
·       Mille Lacs (2) (1)
·       Morrison (6)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (16)
·       Nicollet (13) (2)
·       Nobles (866) (1)
·       Norman (8)
·       Olmsted (269) (8)
·       Otter Tail (14)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (58)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (32)
·       Ramsey (405) (29)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (3)
·       Renville (4)
·       Rice (14) (1)
·       Rock (12)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (46) (1)
·       Sherburne (39)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (73) (11)
·       Stearns (435)
·       Steele (18)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (7)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (9)
·       Wadena (1)
·       Waseca (4)
·       Washington (133) (11)
·       Watonwan (14)
·       Wilkin (12) (3)
·       Winona (66) (15)
·       Wright (43) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 30, 2020­)
 

April30confirmed cases
Stay-at-home order extended to May 18
            The Minnesota Department of Health announced 492 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 30 for a total of 5,136 confirmed cases across the state and 343 deaths, up 24 from yesterday. Cases range from less than a month old to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 49 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 365 – 130 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 12,163 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 58,113 have been tested at external laboratories.
             In today’s press briefing, while holding his facemask in his hand, Gov. Tim Walz again extended the executive stay-at-home order through May 18 – another two-week extension.
            “We’re going to extend the stay-at-home order on bars, restaurants and public accommodations, but we are moving retail businesses to reopen operations for curbside pickup and delivery, putting 30,000 Minnesotans back to work,” Walz said. “This is a big move; this is a move that not a lot of states have taken.”
            Only nine states have either partially or completely reopened, and Minnesota is one of those working to loosen restrictions even as the metrics of infections and deaths continue to rise. Walz said even though those numbers are still rising, intensive care unit and hospital capacity is staying relatively static, which the stay-at-home order is meant to do.
            In extending the stay-at-home order, the governor is loosening more restrictions to allow certain businesses to reopen.
Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove said retail businesses that can safely sell, repair or maintain goods that can be reasonably picked up outside the business are those that can reopen. This includes household goods rentals, maintenance services and pet grooming, for example.
The state is also allowing some elective surgeries.
Grove said he has been receiving a lot of questions about salons and barbershops, to which he said people will still not be able to get haircuts, but they can sell the products on their shelves.
            Businesses with customer-facing contact will not be allowed to return to operation. Walz said they will be reopening, but not until at least after May 18.
            “Thank you to all the retailers out there,” Walz said. “Your sacrifice has saved lives. Your sacrifice has saved us.”
            In the same breath, Walz asked Minnesotans to continue with safe practices until it is safe to move forward further.
            “I’m going to ask you, Minnesotans, continue what you’re doing in the social distancing,” Walz said. “Even if there was not a stay-at-home order, that is the thing to do because that is the surest way to get beyond this and get things back to the way we want them to be. I’m asking you to help these businesses by doing the things like social distancing and the masks when they open up.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (212) (10)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (15)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (38)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (59)
·       Carver (21)
·       Cass (5)
·       Chippewa (2)
·       Chisago (11) (1)
·       Clay (157) (11)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (20)
·       Crow Wing (20) (1)
·       Dakota (152) (10)
·       Dodge (21)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (5)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (34)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,738) (225)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (5)
·       Jackson (14)
·       Kandiyohi (91) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (24)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (7)
·       Mahnomen (2)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (88) (4)
·       McLeod (4)
·       Meeker (11)
·       Mille Lacs (2) (1)
·       Morrison (5)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (13)
·       Nicollet (11) (2)
·       Nobles (742) (1)
·       Norman (8)
·       Olmsted (265) (6)
·       Otter Tail (9)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (56)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (27)
·       Ramsey (374) (26)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (2)
·       Renville (4)
·       Rice (14) (1)
·       Rock (11)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (44) (1)
·       Sherburne (28)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (71) (11)
·       Stearns (267)
·       Steele (16)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (7)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Wadena (1)
·       Waseca (4)
·       Washington (131) (10)
·       Watonwan (11)
·       Wilkin (12) (3)
·       Winona (66) (15)
·       Wright (42) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 29, 2020­)

April29confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 463 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 29 for a total of 4,644 confirmed cases across the state and 319 deaths, up 18 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 50 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 320 – 119 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 11,910 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 54,834 have been tested at external laboratories.
            After Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm provided a brief update to Minnesotans on COVID-19-related statistics, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove announced two new initiatives that should help gain a better understanding of how and when to safely return to work.
            The first is a Minnesota IT Services collaboration with Target Corporation which produced an online application for anonymously screening Minnesota workers to aggregate data over time to know if a specific workplace is safe. Grove stressed that the data will be completely anonymous and optional to both workers and businesses, and added that hundreds of companies have already shown interest.
            “We’re very excited for this new tool,” Grove said. “It’s just a good example of Minnesota business, a nonprofit and state government can work together.”
The second is another state partnership with Target, which is going to start offering no-touch infrared thermometers for the cost it takes to manufacture them.
Grove said these steps are important for gaining a clear picture on how and when to return safely to work, but maybe more importantly, how to thwart the potential spread of the virus in the future.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (196) (8)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (10)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (34)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (55)
·       Carver (20)
·       Cass (5)
·       Chippewa (2)
·       Chisago (10) (1)
·       Clay (152) (10)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (20)
·       Crow Wing (20) (1)
·       Dakota (157) (9)
·       Dodge (19)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (5)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (34)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,633) (209)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (3)
·       Jackson (12)
·       Kandiyohi (88) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (24)
·       Lincoln (3)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (70) (4)
·       McLeod (4)
·       Meeker (9)
·       Mille Lacs (2) (1)
·       Morrison (1)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (11)
·       Nicollet (9) (2)
·       Nobles (615) (1)
·       Norman (8)
·       Olmsted (256) (6)
·       Otter Tail (8)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (56)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (27)
·       Ramsey (332) (24)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (4)
·       Rice (12) (1)
·       Rock (9)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (41) (1)
·       Sherburne (26)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (71) (11)
·       Stearns (166)
·       Steele (15)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (7)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Wadena (1)
·       Waseca (4)
·       Washington (120) (9)
·       Watonwan (9)
·       Wilkin (12) (3)
·       Winona (66) (14)
·       Wright (40) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 28, 2020­)

April28confirmed cases
 The Minnesota Department of Health announced 365 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 28 for a total of 4,181 confirmed cases across the state and 301 deaths, up 15 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 104 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 54 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 314 – 120 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 11,642 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 52,187 have been tested at external laboratories.
            The MDH brought Commissioner Jan Malcolm and Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist, to talk about the increase in diagnostic testing and the importance of serology testing – a topic they said has been popular – during Tuesday’s press briefing.
            “We are seeing a big increase in our case numbers,” Malcolm said. “A lot of that is due to the intensive testing that’s going on … When you see additional cases, that’s to be expected. With more testing, we will have more cases.”
            Minnesota saw one of the highest single-day increases in testing on the same day it saw the highest single-day increase in confirmed cases, 2,412 and 365 respectively.
            With increased diagnostic testing now at more than 2,000 per day and climbing, Lynfield said serology testing, which indicates if a person has had a virus by measuring antibodies, should now be a focus for two important reasons: to gain a clearer picture of how many people have had the coronavirus and to identify those who have been unknowingly infected as potential antibody donors to infected people fighting the virus.
            Population-wide testing is important not only because it will give communities a better understanding of how extensive the virus is, but because it also means more accurate results if more people have been tested.
Comprehensive testing also means nearly everybody who can donate plasma with COVID-19 antibodies will at least have the understanding and capability to do so, but only if the tests are high quality and accurate.
            “This is something we are all learning,” Lynfield said, highlighting the positive potential of serology testing without downplaying its flaws.
            Serology testing is anywhere from 80-90% accurate, Lynfield said, but as the testing evolves, it will get better. Even if the tests were 100% accurate, there is no guarantee a previously infected person will be immune to the virus if it comes around again in a second or third wave. There is also no guarantee a person who has already passed the virus is not still transmitting it.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (186) (8)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (6)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (33)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (53)
·       Carver (19)
·       Cass (5)
·       Chippewa (2)
·       Chisago (9) (1)
·       Clay (149) (10)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (11)
·       Crow Wing (20) (1)
·       Dakota (156) (9)
·       Dodge (19)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (34)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,524) (193)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (9)
·       Kandiyohi (64) (1)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (24)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (52) (4)
·       McLeod (4)
·       Meeker (9)
·       Mille Lacs (2) (1)
·       Morrison (1)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (10)
·       Nicollet (9) (2)
·       Nobles (477) (1)
·       Norman (7)
·       Olmsted (251) (6)
·       Otter Tail (8)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (56)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (26)
·       Ramsey (317) (22)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (11) (1)
·       Rock (8)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (36) (1)
·       Sherburne (19)
·       Sibley (2)
·       St. Louis (69) (11)
·       Stearns (86)
·       Steele (14)
·       Swift (2)
·       Todd (4)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (4)
·       Washington (117) (9)
·       Watonwan (7)
·       Wilkin (12) (3)
·       Winona (66) (14)
·       Wright (35) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 27, 2020­)

April27confirmed cases
Over the weekend, the Minnesota Department of Health announced 417 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 51 deaths, the highest two-day total. Hospitalizations continued to climb, reaching 829 total with 301 COVID-19 positive patients having been in intensive care units.
Today, MDH announced 214 new positive cases of COVID-19 for a total of 3,816 confirmed cases across the state and 286 deaths, up 14 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 52 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 292 – 122 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 11,493 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 49,775 have been tested at external laboratories.
            With a focus on meat and agribusiness processing plants, MDH, led by Commissioner Jan Malcolm, provided an update to Minnesotans on the same day that some businesses were allowed to reopen for the first time.
            Although the state does not have regulatory authority over meat processing plants, it is providing guidance on improving working conditions, and local health care systems will aid food processing plants while trying to get a handle on the coronavirus.
            As far as testing, Malcolm said the state has hit logistical snags which were largely expected. The complex nature of the supply chain issue reared its head, highlighting the difficulty of getting all parts moving in the same direction. In the same breath she used to hit on supply chain complexities, Malcolm also said testing is not yet where it needs to be.
            “We’re not yet doing enough population-wide testing,” Malcolm said.
            Various reagents can be used in different forms of testing, for example, but there are specific types of reagents for specific types of testing. There are even specific swabs needed for certain kinds of tests, too. Then, of course, there is the simple but nagging shortage issue.
            Malcolm and MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann said, going forward, MDH will have to keep a close eye on both meat processing plants and supply chain issues leading to testing shortages.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (168) (5)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (4)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (30)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (52)
·       Carver (17)
·       Cass (5)
·       Chippewa (2)
·       Chisago (7) (1)
·       Clay (131) (9)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (9)
·       Crow Wing (20)
·       Dakota (144) (7)
·       Dodge (19)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (33)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,416) (188)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (8)
·       Kandiyohi (39)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (23)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (43) (4)
·       McLeod (4)
·       Meeker (6)
·       Mille Lacs (1) (1)
·       Morrison (1)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (10)
·       Nicollet (9) (2)
·       Nobles (399) (1)
·       Norman (7)
·       Olmsted (246) (6)
·       Otter Tail (8)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (56)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (24)
·       Ramsey (297) (22)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (10) (1)
·       Rock (6)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (35) (1)
·       Sherburne (16)
·       Sibley (1)
·       St. Louis (67) (10)
·       Stearns (55)
·       Steele (14)
·       Swift (1)
·       Todd (3)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (3)
·       Washington (114) (8)
·       Watonwan (7)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (66) (14)
·       Wright (34) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 25, 2020­)

April25confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 261 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 24 for a total of 3,446 confirmed cases across the state. Two new cases were discovered in Stearns County for a total of 38 cases. Statewide cases range from 4 weeks to 109 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 52 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 288 – 109 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 11,250 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 45,347 have been tested at external laboratories.
            Minnesota’s total death is now at 244, up 23 from Friday. Those who passed in Saturday’s count were residents from Clay, Hennepin, Ramsey and Wilkins counties, and ranged in age from their 60s to 100s. All but one Hennepin County resident were in long-term care facilities.
            “We continue our work along with many partners around the state to protect Minnesotans and prevent additional deaths,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said in a statement. “It is very important for all Minnesotans to do their part in that effort by following social distancing guidelines and other public health recommendations.
            An estimated 27% of cases were likely exposed through congregate living facilities and another 17% of through community transfer. Fewer cases are being found connected to travel as the pandemic develops in Minnesota.
           
Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (150) (3)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (4)
·       Big Stone (2)
·       Blue Earth (27)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (47)
·       Carver (16)
·       Cass (5)
·       Chippewa (2)
·       Chisago (7) (1)
·       Clay (113) (7)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (6)
·       Crow Wing (20)
·       Dakota (138) (6)
·       Dodge (19)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (33)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,287) (155)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (7)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (7)
·       Kandiyohi (28)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (22)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (42) (4)
·       McLeod (3)
·       Meeker (4)
·       Mille Lacs (1) (1)
·       Morrison (1)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (8)
·       Nicollet (9) (2)
·       Nobles (325) (1)
·       Norman (7)
·       Olmsted (238) (6)
·       Otter Tail (8)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (45)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (20)
·       Ramsey (261) (20)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (9) (1)
·       Rock (5)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (32) (1)
·       Sherburne (15)
·       Sibley (1)
·       St. Louis (61) (10)
·       Stearns (38)
·       Steele (12)
·       Swift (1)
·       Todd (3)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (3)
·       Washington (112) (7)
·       Watonwan (5)
·       Wilkin (11) (3)
·       Winona (66) (13)
·       Wright (33) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 24, 2020­)

April24confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 243 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 24 for a total of 3,185 confirmed cases across the state and 221 deaths, up 21 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 104 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 54 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 278 – 111 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 10,954 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 42,833 have been tested at external laboratories.
            An estimated 29% were exposed through a congregate living setting, 29% were exposed through community transmission, 14% likely experienced exposure to the virus through travel, 10% through health care staff and 19% are unknown.
            With an extended focus on education, Gov. Tim Walz and Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan talked to Minnesotans about inequities and challenges with distance learning a day after the Walz administration extended distance learning through the end of the school year.
            Walz invited two teachers and two students, a fifth grader and a senior in high school, to talk about the challenges and impacts of distance learning.
            “I wasn’t surprised when I heard that we aren’t going back to school this school year, but I’m still feeling sad,” said Claire Murphy, an elementary school in St. Paul. “I’m going to middle school next year, and I didn’t get to say goodbye to my teachers or friends.”
            Angela Foreland, a third grade teacher in Spring Valley, said the challenges are greater for students who have trouble accessing high speed internet.
            Foreland said she felt forced to go to the school building physically, with her kids, to ensure she can be there for her students. She was using a mobile hotspot during the day to reach her students because her internet connection was not reliable enough.
            “Now more than ever, Minnesota needs to invest in connecting all parts of the state to reliable broadband services,” Foreland said.
            Minnesota Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker said the Department of Education is pursuing relationship building as a first step in getting students back into a semi-normal rhythm again.
            “The feedback is clear,” Ricker said. “We know distance learning hasn’t been going perfectly. It’s actually been really hard … I instructed my team at MDE to make some improvements so we can reach every student in the state of Minnesota.”
            Ricker said MDE is dedicated to equalizing disparities in education, especially with students of color and in other areas where specific subsets of students are lagging.
            “We are committed to doing everything we can to provide the best education possible,” Ricker said.
MDE is set to announce more initiatives soon.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (142) (3)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (4)
·       Big Stone (1)
·       Blue Earth (27)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (46)
·       Carver (15)
·       Cass (4)
·       Chippewa (1)
·       Chisago (7) (1)
·       Clay (100) (4)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (6)
·       Crow Wing (20)
·       Dakota (136) (6)
·       Dodge (18)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (33)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,200) (138)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (6)
·       Kandiyohi (12)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (22)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (41) (4)
·       McLeod (3)
·       Meeker (3)
·       Mille Lacs (1) (1)
·       Morrison (1)
·       Mower (28)
·       Murray (5)
·       Nicollet (8) (2)
·       Nobles (258) (1)
·       Norman (6)
·       Olmsted (219) (6)
·       Otter Tail (6)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (43)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (19)
·       Ramsey (247) (18)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (9) (1)
·       Rock (5)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (30) (1)
·       Sherburne (15)
·       Sibley (1)
·       St. Louis (59) (10)
·       Stearns (33)
·       Steele (11)
·       Swift (1)
·       Todd (3)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (3)
·       Washington (107) (7)
·       Watonwan (5)
·       Wilkin (11) (2)
·       Winona (64) (13)
·       Wright (32) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 23, 2020­)

2 confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 221 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 23 for a total of 2,942 confirmed cases across the state and 200 deaths, up 21 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 104 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 54 years old. Cases with current hospitalizations are at 268 – 104 of which are in intensive care units.
            Minnesota’s public schools will not be physically reopening this school year, Gov. Tim Walz and Department of Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker announced today. Instead, they will be participating in distance learning for an indefinite amount of time. The governor also talked about what reopening looks like and provided a medium for certain businesses to get back to work safely.
            “My heart is really heavy today with this announcement because of the impact we know this is having on our students and their families,” Ricker said. “How badly our students want to connect with their friends and their educators, and in their school settings.”
            When asked about returning to school in the fall, Walz said he can only be certain that students are not returning to the classroom this year. He said the state will have to wait and see what happens with coronavirus and a resurgence in infections as fall approaches.
            But still, Walz, a former teacher, said he understands the affect this announcement will have on educators, students and families.
            Speaking directly to the class of 2020, Walz said that the coronavirus will not define their senior year, but rather their resilience, patience and adaptability during this time will.
            “None of us had to go through that,” Walz said. “You will be defined by understanding how interconnected our world is and what it means to come together to solve problems.”
            He continued with the sentiment, saying the class of 2020 may be closer than other classes because of the time they spent apart.
            In reopening the economy, Walz laid out a long list of objectives and conditions that need to be met before the state will consider reopening a non-essential business. He said this opportunity is not a repeal of the stay-at-home order through May 4, but rather an opportunity for a business to prove it can operate safely.
            Some of the factors Walz said need to be considered when reopening, and the list he and his team are adhering to closely, includes its impacts to public health and the possible spread of the disease; testing, tracing and isolating those who have been exposed to the coronavirus; whether hospitals are prepared to treat patients; and how it impacts life for non-COVID-19 illnesses, among other factors.
            Even so, Walz said the state needs to be ready to return to stricter stay-at-home and social distancing measures to combat an equally lethal potential resurgence of COVID-19. He also said congregate living settings and facilities are controlling the bulk of the state’s response.
            If certain businesses can prove to the state that they can return to work safely, they can start working with state officials in reopening slowly and safely.
            “This is a marathon,” Walz said. “It’s going to be a long haul.”

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (131) (2)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (4)
·       Big Stone (1)
·       Blue Earth (26)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (38)
·       Carver (15)
·       Cass (4)
·       Chippewa (5)
·       Chisago (7) (1)
·       Clay (84) (4)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (6)
·       Crow Wing (20)
·       Dakota (131) (6)
·       Dodge (18)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (12) (1)
·       Freeborn (33)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,132) (123)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (5)
·       Kandiyohi (4)
·       Kittson (1)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (22)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (41) (4)
·       McLeod (3)
·       Meeker (3)
·       Mille Lacs (1) (1)
·       Mower (27)
·       Murray (4)
·       Nicollet (8) (2)
·       Nobles (196) (1)
·       Norman (6)
·       Olmsted (213) (5)
·       Otter Tail (6)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (26)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (19)
·       Ramsey (235) (14)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (8)
·       Rock (5)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (29) (1)
·       Sherburne (15)
·       Sibley (1)
·       St. Louis (58) (10)
·       Stearns (25)
·       Steele (10)
·       Swift (1)
·       Todd (3)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (3)
·       Washington (100) (7)
·       Watonwan (4)
·       Wilkin (11) (2)
·       Winona (62) (13)
·       Wright (32) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 22, 2020­)

April22 confirmed cases
The Minnesota Department of Health announced 154 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 22 for a total of 2,721 confirmed cases across the state and 179 deaths, up 19 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 104 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 54 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 240 – 107 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 10,508 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 38,836 have been tested at external laboratories.
            All Minnesotans who have symptoms of COVID-19 will soon have access to diagnostic testing, Gov. Tim Walz announced today.
            “We are smothering this issue of testing, I would argue, with better talent than any place on the planet,” Walz said. “This partnership with the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota and the other health care systems are launching today is testing and providing a strategy to test all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases and public health surveillance throughout greater Minnesota.”
            Drawing $36 million from the state’s COVID-19 fund, the partnership will move into phase one, which Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said is for building the mechanism to hit a vast increase in testing. Minnesota, combined with external laboratories and the state’s public health lab, has tested anywhere from 958 to 1,883 tests per day. With the new public-private partnership, the goal is to administer around 20,000 tests per day.
            “We’re working on maximizing everyone’s capability (to get tested), but doing it in a really coordinated way,” Malcolm said. “It’s a big deal.”
            Malcolm said the state is setting clear directions to health care systems statewide to collect samples from every symptomatic Minnesotan as soon as possible. The partnership establishes an agreement between major hospital systems in the state to work as a cohesive group, utilizing a central lab system to accommodate expanded testing, building a virtual and public command center in coordination with health systems to assure goals are met, and building the capacity to share analytics and research that will inform future decisions.
            “This is as good a response as any state has been able to do,” Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Michael Osterholm said, who has become a national figure during the coronavirus pandemic.
            Osterholm, who has served Republican and Democratic governors and presidents, said the United States is still in the early stages of the virus, and that it will not dissipate any time soon. In the meantime, the partnership between the private health care sector and Minnesota’s government leaders is necessary for the future.
            “Tesing is critical,” Osterholm said. “It’s going to be done, and it’s going to be done right.”
            In conjunction with diagnostic tests, the state is working in the same partnership to establish serology testing and getting critical supplies, like personal protective equipment.
            Minnesota has struggled, like other states and countries, to gain reliable access to PPE, testing and swabs because of hitches in supply chains. State governments are competing with the federal government, and the federal government is competing with other countries around the world to get equipment and supplies. With the new partnership, Walz said Minnesotans do not have to worry about its supply chain being interrupted.
            Although not yet in place, Malcolm said state officials and employees are working diligently to build the infrastructure to support 20,000 tests per day. She said MDH has already sent out messaging to hospitals to collect samples from every symptomatic patient that comes through their doors.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (105) (2)
·       Becker (2)
·       Beltrami (6)
·       Benton (4)
·       Big Stone (1)
·       Blue Earth (26)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (38)
·       Carver (15)
·       Cass (4)
·       Chisago (7) (1)
·       Clay (79) (3)
·       Clearwater (2)
·       Cottonwood (6)
·       Crow Wing (20)
·       Dakota (130) (6)
·       Dodge (18)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (11)
·       Freeborn (33)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,073) (113)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (3)
·       Kandiyohi (3)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (22)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (6)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (41) (4)
·       McLeod (3)
·       Meeker (3)
·       Mille Lacs (1) (1)
·       Mower (27)
·       Murray (3)
·       Nicollet (8) (2)
·       Nobles (126)
·       Norman (6)
·       Olmsted (204) (4)
·       Otter Tail (6)
·       Pennington (1)
·       Pine (15)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (17)
·       Ramsey (219) (11)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (7)
·       Rock (5)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (28) (1)
·       Sherburne (13)
·       Sibley (1)
·       St. Louis (54) (10)
·       Stearns (20)
·       Steele (10)
·       Swift (1)
·       Todd (3)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (3)
·       Washington (100) (5)
·       Watonwan (4)
·       Wilkin (10) (2)
·       Winona (61) (10)
·       Wright (30) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
 

Minnesota's coronavirus status (April 21, 2020­)

April21confirmed cases
 The Minnesota Department of Health announced 97 new positive cases of COVID-19 April 21 for a total of 2,567 confirmed cases across the state and 160 deaths, up 17 from yesterday. Cases range from 4 weeks to 104 years old, with the median age of an infected person being 54 years old.
             Cases with current hospitalizations are at 237 – 117 of which are in intensive care units. Approximately 10,294 patients have been tested at the MDH Public Health Lab since Jan. 20, 2020, and approximately 37,403 have been tested at external laboratories.
            An estimated 28% of cases were exposed through a congregate living setting, 27% were exposed through community transmission, 17% experienced exposure to the virus through travel, 12% through health care staff and 16% are unknown.
            MDH commissioner Jan Malcolm and infectious disease director Kris Ehresmann focused on congregate living settings at today’s COVID-19 briefing, explaining the ebbs and flows of dealing with a pandemic that affects areas of the economy and public health differently.
            “This is not a simple situation where everything is going to be necessarily all going in the same direction at the same time,” Malcolm said.
As specific businesses get state approval to go back to work, long-term living settings have experienced 116 of Minnesota’s 160 total deaths, or 70%. The number of those affected in these settings grows every day.
            Even a single confirmed coronavirus case in a long-term or congregate living setting triggers a rapid response from MDH, which has assigned a case manager to every facility dealing with the novel coronavirus. Ehresmann said when MDH is notified of a case, it launches a comprehensive investigation with the goal of learning more about the case and where and who it may have been transferred from.
            MDH suggests these facilities isolate sick residents together when possible and cohort at facilities where there are too many cases to individually isolate. Health regulation director Michelle Larson said families may still consider moving a family member into long-term care if they are not capable of care-taking needs.
            “It’s important to make sure their family member has access to all the services and care that they need,” Ehresmann said, adding that families have to make that personal decision.
            Malcolm and Ehresmann said a lot of attention is on long-term living facilities and making sure workers and residents have the support they need moving forward, but the state is also working toward ramping up testing and personal protective equipment to make sure Minnesota’s health care system has the capacity to handle the virus.
            “It’s not that the epidemic isn’t growing, it’s that it’s growing, so far, in a measured way that’s not exceeding our capacity to respond,” Malcolm said.

Counties with cases and deaths include (confirmed cases) (deaths)*:
·       Aitkin (1)
·       Anoka (97) (2)
·       Becker (1)
·       Beltrami (5)
·       Benton (4)
·       Big Stone (1)
·       Blue Earth (24)
·       Brown (8) (1)
·       Carlton (37)
·       Carver (14)
·       Cass (4)
·       Chisago (7) (1)
·       Clay (68) (3)
·       Clearwater (3)
·       Cottonwood (6)
·       Crow Wing (20)
·       Dakota (127) (6)
·       Dodge (18)
·       Douglas (2)
·       Faribault (4)
·       Fillmore (11)
·       Freeborn (33)
·       Goodhue (19)
·       Hennepin (1,013) (95)
·       Houston (1)
·       Isanti (6)
·       Itasca (2)
·       Jackson (2)
·       Kandiyohi (3)
·       Koochiching (1)
·       Lac qui Parle (1)
·       Le Sueur (22)
·       Lincoln (2)
·       Lyon (5)
·       Mahnomen (1)
·       Marshall (1)
·       Martin (41) (4)
·       McLeod (3)
·       Meeker (3)
·       Mille Lacs (1)
·       Mower (26)
·       Murray (3)
·       Nicollet (7) (2)
·       Nobles (101)
·       Norman (5)
·       Olmsted (198) (4)
·       Otter Tail (6)
·       Pine (12)
·       Pipestone (2)
·       Polk (4)
·       Ramsey (215) (11)
·       Red Lake (1)
·       Redwood (1)
·       Renville (3)
·       Rice (7)
·       Rock (5)
·       Roseau (1)
·       Scott (27) (1)
·       Sherburne (13)
·       Sibley (1)
·       St. Louis (53) (10)
·       Stearns (18)
·       Steele (9)
·       Swift (1)
·       Todd (3)
·       Traverse (2)
·       Wabasha (8)
·       Waseca (3)
·       Washington (98) (5)
·       Watonwan (4)
·       Wilkin (9) (2)
·       Winona (61) (10)
·       Wright (27) (1)
·       Yellow Medicine (3)
*The data may not equal the total number of reported cases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.