Coronavirus In Minnesota: MDH Reports Largest Spike In Daily COVID-19 Cases (2,287) And Tests Completed (44K)
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) --There's more sobering news in the fight against COVID-19. Minnesota is reporting another day of double-digit deaths tied to the virus -- 13. The state has now reported double-digit deaths in six of the last eight days.
Minnesota health officials on Friday reported 2,287 additional cases of COVID-19, the largest single-day spike in cases since the pandemic began and the first time it's ever been more than 2,000. That figure is accompanied by the largest amount of tests completed in a single day. Wisconsin also set another record for new cases, approaching the 4,000 benchmark. One in five tests in that state are coming back positive.
"The things we thought we're OK to do a month ago we have to rethink. They are riskier today," health commissioner Jan Malcolm said.
According to data from the Minnesota Department of Health, there were over 44,000 tests completed in the last 24 hours, including antigen tests (772). More than 1.6 million people have been tested for COVID-19 since March.
In total, there have been 119,145 confirmed cases of COVID-19 discovered in the state, with more than 105,000 of those cases no longer needing to quarantine themselves. Of those who contracted the virus, 2,203 have died in the state since March. A significant amount of the deaths -- 1,559 -- have occurred in long-term care or assisted living situations. More than 8,700 people have needed treatment for COVID-19 in Minnesota's hospitals.
State health officials there want people to avoid all gatherings, large and small.
"Retirement parties, birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, all of those things. That's why we have been encouraging here in recent weeks that people stay home as much as possible," Andrea Palm, secretary-designee for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said.
In Ohio, hospitalizations are up 50% in the last two weeks, where infections are quickly rising in suburban and rural communities.
According to the state's Dial Back Dashboard, Minnesota's seven-day positivity rate remains around 5% as of Oct. 7, due to data lag. State officials say there are about 22 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, a number that has increased since late September.
