ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Health says the state saw a drop in the number of new HIV cases reported in 2011, but there were increases in HIV cases in some communities.

Officials say 292 new HIV cases were reported last year, compared with 331 new cases in 2010. That’s a 12 percent decline.

But health officials say certain populations were hit harder than others. New HIV cases among women rose 9 percent last year, with women of color accounting for the vast majority of those new cases.

When it comes to men, the number of new HIV cases rose among African-American males, as well as among males ages 13 to 24.

Officials estimate more than 7,000 people live with HIV in Minnesota.

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