The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 727 new COVID infections and eight new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s case total to 456,490 and the death toll to 6,106.
Of all deaths, 3,877 were residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities. Of all cases, 35,687 were health care workers.
Today’s data comes after around 11,000 tests were completed yesterday. Over 3.214 million Minnesotans have been tested for COVID-19, with 6.399 million tests completed.
Over 440,000 of the state’s COVID-19 cases no longer need isolation.
Minnesota was the first state in the nation to identify a mutant strain of the virus known to be circulating Brazil. The patient, according to a release, had recently traveled there and lives in the Twin Cities metro area.
“We’re thankful that our testing program helped us find this case, and we thank all Minnesotans who seek out testing when they feel sick or otherwise have reason to get a test,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said.
“We know that even as we work hard to defeat COVID-19, the virus continues to evolve as all viruses do. That’s yet another reason why we want to limit COVID-19 transmission – the fewer people who get COVID-19, the fewer opportunities the virus has to evolve. The good news is that we can slow the spread of this variant and all COVID-19 variants by using the tried-and-true prevention methods of wearing masks, keeping social distance, staying home when sick, and getting tested when appropriate.”
“These cases illustrate why it is so important to limit travel during a pandemic as much as possible,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield.
“If you must travel, it is important to watch for symptoms of COVID-19, follow public health guidance on getting tested prior to travel, use careful protective measures during travel, and quarantine and get tested after travel.”
MDH reported four new COVID cases in Beltrami County today, one new case in Cass County and three new cases in Hubbard County.
Since the pandemic began, Beltrami County has had 3,166 cases and 48 deaths, Cass County has had 2,110 cases and 24 deaths, Clearwater County has had 688 cases and 14 deaths, and Hubbard County has had 1,514 cases and 38 deaths.
