Posted at 11:10 a.m.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
STATE UPDATES
The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed an additional 571 of positive COVID-19 cases and nine new deaths since yesterday, and 3,309 tests were completed over the course of one day.
That brings the totals to 7,234 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the state and 428 deaths. About 80 percent of those deaths were of long-term care facility or assisted living facility residents.
To date, 1,271 have been hospitalized for COVID-19 symptoms, with 396 currently hospitalized and of those, 166 in ICU. Over 4,200 patients have recovered to the point they no longer need isolation.
Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order Friday that allows food trucks to operate at rest stops, in an attempt to serve truckers who need to eat on the road.
“As many restaurants across the United States have closed, restrictions pertaining to commercial activities at highway rest areas have restricted fresh food options for truck drivers operating in Minnesota. Executive Order 20-49 will provide an additional option for truck drivers, who play a critical role in supporting the supply chain and depend on eating their meals on the road,” said the administration in a release.
House Republicans have promised to block the infrastructure bonding bill if the peacetime emergency declaration does not end.
On #MN02 call, @KDaudt says #mnleg will not pass a bonding bill until Gov. Walz’s emergency powers end. Says legislature can work with governor on COVID response.
— Representative Pat Garofalo (@PatGarofalo) May 2, 2020
Nope, we just want the Governor to involve the legislature going forward. I would assume that every member of the legislature should want the Governor to work with us? Don’t you want the Governor to work with the legislature? https://t.co/ki0DgDOVU7
— Kurt Daudt (@kdaudt) May 2, 2020
DFL Party Chair Ken Martin released the following statement.
“Today, Minnesota House Republicans have made it clear that they would rather play politics than help Minnesotans get back to work. By pledging to block Governor Walz’s Local Jobs and Projects Plan, Representative Daudt and House Republicans are standing in the way of thousands of hardworking men and women in the construction industry building our critical infrastructure throughout the state. Once again, Minnesota Republicans say one thing and do another – they say they want to pass an infrastructure bill but when the time comes to actually get it done, they stick it to working people who desperately need these jobs.
“Representative Daudt’s foolish temper tantrum goes against the advice of public health experts, the wishes of the vast majority of the American people, and the guidelines for reopening states issued by the President of Daudt’s own party. Representative Daudt’s gambling with the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans everywhere proves just how unfit Minnesota Republicans are to lead, especially during times of crisis.”
LOCAL UPDATES
MDH confirmed today that Beltrami County still has six cases of COVID-19, but Itasca County has seen growth after holding steady at two cases since April 1 with 11 total cases confirmed over the weekend.
“We have not received requests at this time to provide essential services for any of our COVID-19 positive community members. We are working closely with our community partners to access supplies and provide supports to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19,” said Kelly Chandler, division manager for Itasca County Public Health.
“There is no question that the coronavirus is in our midst here in Itasca County,” said Chandler. “Masks are our new normal, and one of the important measures we each need to take to protect each other. If you are coming into contact with others outside your household (such as when you are shopping, picking up takeout meals, walking in popular places, at busy boat landings, etc.), it is essential that you wear a covering over your nose and mouth.”
Cass County also saw an increase over the weekend, now reporting seven cases. Clearwater and Mahnomen Counties each have two cases, Marshall County has five, and Pennington, Roseau and Koochiching Counties each have one case.
Nearby Becker County now reports ten cases, and Polk County now has 41.
