Here is Minnesota's COVID-19 update for Friday, June 19
The Friday COVID-19 update from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that 17 more people have died from the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, though hospitalizations continue to drop.
Of the 17 deaths, 13 were residents of the long-term care or assisted-living facilities, continuing the trend of the vast majority of COVID-19 fatalities in the state coming from such congregate care settings.
Since the first death was confirmed Mar. 21, there have been 1,361 deaths, with 1,077 having been residents of congregate care.
Total hospitalized COVID-19 patients (339) is at its lowest level since April 29, while the 168 patients currently in ICU is the lowest its been since May 4 (166).
The latest 24-hour reporting period saw 13,302 tests result in 362 positives, though eight have since been removed for an official count of 356.
Coronavirus in Minnesota by the numbers:
- Tests: 475,152 (up from 460,879)
- Confirmed cases: 32,031 (up from 31,675)
- Deaths: 1,361 (up from 1,344)
- Still hospitalized: 339 (down from 345)
- Patients in intensive care: 168 (down from 171).
- Patients no longer requiring isolation: 27,709 (up from 27,566)
There have been 32 patients deemed to have "probably" died from COVID-19, though that total isn't included in the aforementioned death toll. Those cases represent victims who never received a COVID-19 test, but for whom doctors believe within a reasonable degree of certainty that the virus caused their death.
Meanwhile, health officials are encouraging anyone who attended protests in recent days to go in for a COVID-19 test, and they recommend doing so whether you have symptoms or not.
You can find your closest testing facility in Minnesota through this link.