Minnesota's confirmed coronavirus increases with 194 new cases, a single-day record
Editor's note: The original version of this story said there were 194 new cases. The the Minnesota Department of Health revised the number down to 109, only to reverse that decision and go back to the original 194 total.
Sunday's update from the Minnesota Department of Health shows that a single-day record of 194 more patients have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, with an additional six deaths.
The death toll from COVID-19 in Minnesota now stands at 70, while 842 people to have had a confirmed case of the disease have recovered. The new deaths include three Hennepin County residents in their 90s, a Hennepin County resident in their 70s, a Washington County resident in their 60s and a St. Louis County resident in their 80s.
- Confirmed cases: 1,621 (up from 1,427)
- Total hospitalized: 361 (up from 340)
- Still hospitalized: 157 (up from 145)
- Deaths: 70 (up from 64)
- Patients in intensive care: 74 (up from 69).
- Patient recoveries: 842 (up from 793).
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm clarified this week that all of Minnesota's COVID-19 fatalities have been confirmed with testing. If deaths are only listed as "suspected" or "probable" of having been caused by COVID-19, they aren't included in the death count.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms – fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, headache, chills, or sore throat – should self-quarantine for at least seven days, or until going without a fever for 72 hours (without fever-reducing medication), according to guidance from the state health department.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says COVID-19 is widespread in Minnesota, echoing the belief that the MDH has expressed to Minnesotans for weeks. Because of widespread community transmission, there are many more assumed cases of COVID-19 that cannot be formally diagnosed due to testing limitations.
A health department expert said on Friday that the total number of cases may be up to 100 times as high as currently confirmed in Minnesota.
The age range for confirmed cases has been as young as 4 months old to 104 years old, with a median age of 52, while the average age of persons who have died from the disease is 88.
You can find guidance on what to do in the event you have any kind of respiratory symptoms here.
