MDH: COVID Numbers on The Rise In Minnesota

(KNSI) – The Minnesota Department of Health says COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Minnesota, and recent numbers are the highest seen in 2021. MDH reported 20 new COVID deaths and 7,173 new positive cases.

The department says the newly reported cases don’t include everyone. Officials say that COVID-19 case growth exceeded intake capacity over the past weekend, resulting in a temporary backlog. The state says its taking steps to increase staff capacity but anticipates the backlog will affect newly reported cases for the next few days.

Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Wright, and Morrison County reported 679 newly confirmed COVID cases (Benton 67 Morrison 54 Sherburne 160 Stearns 218 Wright 180) and four deaths (Two in Wright and one each in Benton and Stearns County). The deaths were in people ranging from 55 to 89 years old.

The number of people hospitalized due to complications from COVID-19 is on the rise in the CentraCare Health Care system. On Monday, CentraCare and Carris Health said 105 people were in the hospital system, up 11 from last week’s 96, up from 89 the prior week. According to CentraCare, the COVID-19 hospitalizations are from eight hospitals operated by CentraCare and Carris Health.

According to officials, 83 of currently hospitalized patients are unvaccinated and 22 were fully vaccinated. CentraCare considers a person fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson.

MDH said the pandemic is far from over. Health officials advise people to get vaccinated, wear a mask in public, get tested when needed, and stay home if they’re sick.

CentraCare Health is offering vaccinations for kids age five and older, boosters and third doses. For more information on vaccinations, click here.

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