Coronavirus In Minnesota: 4 More Deaths Reported As Number Of COVID-19 Cases Breaches 1,000
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- More than 1,000 people in Minnesota have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was reported almost exactly a month ago.
Health officials announced the state broke the milestone Tuesday, when the total number of cases in Minnesota hit 1,069, up 83 from Monday. This was the largest single-day jump in confirmed cases yet in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, four more people have died from the disease, bringing the state's death toll to 34.
So far, nearly 30,000 people in Minnesota have been tested for the novel coronavirus. Still, experts have warned that the true number of total cases in the state is likely much higher.
Of those who've tested positive and are battling the disease, 120 are in the hospital, with 64 in intensive care beds -- this number has increased by seven in the last 24 hours.
A more hopeful milestone was also reached Tuesday. More than 500 people have recovered from the disease and no longer require isolation. The exact number is 549.
In a daily briefing Tuesday, MDH officials said that 296 health care workers have tested positive for COVID-19 out of the 1,069 total cases.
Minnesotans are continuing to practice social distancing, as Gov. Tim Walz's stay-at-home order remains in effect until Friday. The governor has said that he may well extend the order to the end of the month.
Walz said on Tuesday's briefing that the executive order is working on slowing the spread of the virus.
"We are seeing pretty strong indications we are pushing that curve back. We're bending it a little bit, and we are giving ourselves exactly what we needed to do to give ourselves time to reassess where we're at," Walz said.
Walz recently said that Minnesota had the lowest COVID-19 infection rate in the country. Still, he urged residents not to become complacent in the face of the pandemic. A surge is expected.
MORE: Follow daily briefing updates on Pat Kessler's Twitter page.
At the capitol Tuesday, the Minnesota House passed legislation that ensures workers compensation for first responders and health care workers without them having to prove they contracted COVID-19 while on the job. It was sent to the Minnesota Senate where approval is expected.
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