Two Deaths, 181 New COVID-19 Cases Around St. Cloud Friday

(KNSI) – Minnesota adds 2,387 new COVID-19 cases Friday, with 181 new cases in the St. Cloud area.

The Minnesota Department of Health also reports 48 more deaths from COVID-19 statewide. Twenty-nine of those deceased resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities. Friday’s death count includes one Benton County resident and one Wright County resident, both in their 90s.

Benton County adds 13 new cases, Morrison County 12, Sherburne County 40, Stearns County 57 and Wright County 59.

Labs processed 49,029 COVID-19 tests Thursday, resulting in a one-day positivity rate of 4.9 percent statewide.

MDH’s COVID-19 Response Capacity dashboard shows that 759 people are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in the state. That number includes 130 patients in the ICU.

Across the state, non-ICU and ICU bed capacity remain in an OK spot for many regions. In central Minnesota, 29.9 percent of ICU beds are available. The region is in somewhat of a crunch for non-ICU beds, with only 13 percent available. The Twin Cities Metro has the lowest percentage of hospital beds open right now, with 3.6 percent non-ICU beds and 7.1 percent ICU beds available.