New COVID-19 Cases Around St. Cloud Double This Week as State Continues to See Rise in New Infections, Hospitalizations

(KNSI) – Minnesota’s new COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Over the past week, 3,334 Minnesotans tested positive, a 77 percent increase in cases compared to the week before.

There were also 18 more COVID deaths reported in the state this week. None of those deaths occurred in the five-county St. Cloud area, but the region did confirm 314 new cases — more than double the number of cases confirmed last week.

Over the past seven days, roughly 3.5 COVID tests out of every 100 processed in Minnesota are coming back positive.

Across the state, 231 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19. Sixty-four of those patients are receiving intensive care.

Meanwhile, 3,152,764 Minnesotans have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. The state is closing in on having 3 million residents fully vaccinated. In Stearns County, 51 percent of residents 12 and older have gotten at least one shot.

Amid the rise in cases, largely driven by the very transmissible Delta variant, Minnesota health and education leaders this week said they’re recommending universal mask wearing in K-12 schools, and Gov. Tim Walz has introduced a $100 Visa card vaccination incentive for folks who get their first dose by mid-August.

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