Posted at 11:11 a.m.
This article will be updated, if needed, as more information becomes available.
STATE UPDATES
The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting an additional 728 cases of COVID-19 today and 30 new deaths, bringing the totals to 8,579 cases and 485 deaths. Most of the deaths, 391, are residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities.
To date, 5,005 have recovered to the point they no longer need to be isolated. Since the outbreak began, 1,405 Minnesotans have been hospitalized. Today, there are 443 hospitalized and 180 in ICU.
MDH now includes the number of health care workers with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses. Today, there have been 1,405 health care workers confirmed with the virus at some point during the outbreak.
Since the outbreak began, 93,232 tests have been completed, with 5,223 completed since yesterday.
Gov. Tim Walz yesterday announced a projected $2.5 billion deficit through 2021.
“Today’s budget outlook confirms what we suspected: COVID-19 will badly damage Minnesota’s economy.”
“As I said during my State of the State address, there is a long winter ahead. COVID-19 is upending life as we know it—and our economy will not be spared.”
“This will mean shared sacrifice among all of us. Hard decisions will be made.”
“But thanks to smart budgeting, Minnesota is in a much better position than other states to weather the storm. We must not undercut what got us there: Investing in our children. Expanding access to health care. Putting Minnesotans first.”
“These last few weeks have been difficult, and it’s only going to get harder.”
“It is more important than ever that we lead with our values and protect Minnesota’s quality of life.”
“Minnesotans will look out for one another. We will help each other back on our feet. We will get through this winter—together—and we will see spring.”
Governor Walz signed an Executive Order yesterday that will provide a roadmap for safely restarting elective surgeries. Starting next week, doctors, dentists, and veterinarians who create a plan to keep patients and healthcare professionals safe may begin offering these procedures, which can treat chronic conditions, prevent and cure disease, and relieve chronic pain.
This action, according to a release, will allow hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and clinics – whether veterinary, medical, or dental – to resume many currently-delayed procedures once facilities have developed criteria for determining which procedures should proceed during the COVID-19 pandemic and provided a plan to maintain a safe environment for facility staff, patients, and visitors.
LOCAL UPDATES
Beltrami County Public Health director Cynthia Borgen addressed the County Board during their work session Tuesday. The video of the entire meeting is available on YouTube, and Borgen, as well as Sanford Health officials, begin their presentation about 16 minutes in.
Today, MDH reported six COVID-19 cases in Beltrami County, two in Clearwater, seven in Cass, 13 in Itasca and two in Mahnomen County.
All of Beltrami’s cases, according to Borgen, have recovered to the point they no longer need to be isolated. Itasca County reported earlier this week they had confirmed 22 cases, but MDH numbers often lag behind what public health officials announce.
Nearby, Polk County has 42 of COVID-19 cases, Pennington has one, Marshall has seven, Roseau has one and Koochiching has one.
