Minnesota reports 171 COVID-19 patients in ICU as of Thursday, lowest since May 4
(FOX 9) - The Minnesota Department of Health reported 19 more deaths from COVID-19 and 387 newly confirmed cases Thursday, bringing the state's death toll from the disease to 1,344 and the total number of positive cases the state has seen so far is 31,675.
Of the 19 new deaths, one of them was a Hennepin County residents in their 30s.
Minnesota has moved into its next phase of reopening last week, loosening more coronavirus-related restrictions. The third phase of Gov. Tim Walz's Stay Safe MN plan allows restaurants to reopn indoor dining at 50 percent capacity as well as allows gyms, swimming pools and entertainment venues to reopen in limited capacities.
79 PERCENT OF DEATHS IN LONG-TERM CARE
Of the 19 new deaths reported Thursday, 13 were residents of long-term care facilities. Residents of long-term care facilities now account for approximately 11 percent of Minnesota's positive COVID-19 cases, but around 79 percent of deaths.
The state is making plans to ease visitor restrictions in long-term care facilities after senior citizens spent the last three months living in isolation, with at least one of them dying in part to loneliness, the FOX 9 Investigators have found.
MDH has begun publicizing more COVID-19 data about health care workers. According to the latest report, 3,292 health care workers have tested positive for the coronavirus. Of those, at least 2,089 were likely exposed on the job.
Approximately 87 percent of patients confirmed to have COVID-19 have now recovered and no longer need to self-isolate.
Officials are also releasing numbers for "probable" COVID-19 deaths in which the virus is listed on the death certificate, but a positive test has not been documented for the person. That number is currently at 32.
ICU NUMBERS LOWEST SINCE EARLY MAY
There are currently 171 Minnesota COVID-19 patients in the ICU--the lowest that number has been since May 4. There are 174 additional COVID-19 patients that are hospitalized, but not in the ICU.
Approximately 12 percent of Minnesota's COVID-19 cases have required hospitalization.
Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said recently that some Twin Cities metro hospitals have tapped their surge capacity to deal with an influx of ICU cases, but it's "encouragingly stable" at most hospitals, including those in Greater Minnesota.
ANYONE WHO WANTS A TEST ENCOURAGED TO GET ONE
State and private labs reported 12,465 tests were completed from Tuesday to Wednesday. Malcolm said Minnesota now has the capacity for 15,000 coronavirus tests per day.
Nearly 20,000 COVID-19 tests completed in 24-hour period, Minnesota health officials report Wednesday
The Minnesota Department of Health reported 12 more deaths from COVID-19 and 419 newly confirmed cases Wednesday, bringing the state's death toll from the disease to 1,325 and the total number of positive cases the state has seen so far is 31,296.
As of June 5, MDH is reporting tests per test instead of per person to account for changes in testing capacity and for individuals who are tested more than once over the course of the pandemic.
Last month, Gov. Tim Walz announced a “moonshot” project with the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota to boost the state’s testing capacity to 20,000 tests per day.
Health officials say anyone who wants a COVID-19 test, whether they are symptomatic or not, is encouraged to get a test. Find a testing location near you here.
MDH: PEOPLE WHO'VE ATTENDED GEORGE FLOYD RALLIES SHOULD GET TESTED
If you've attended a vigil, rally or protest in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the Minnesota Department of Health is asking you to get tested for COVID-19.
Health officials worry the mass gatherings over the past week may have allowed for the spread of the virus. The department says the virus spreads quickly and easily in large groups who are together for long periods of time. Malcolm said Minnesota won't know for two to three more weeks if recent unrest and protests caused a spike in cases.
Site where George Floyd died in Minneapolis becomes a place of healing as tribute grows
The widespread ripple effect of the death of George Floyd was evident Thursday as a number of faith leaders, activists, and familiar faces joined protesters at the site of Floyd's death on the day he was remembered in Minneapolis.
ONLY ONE COUNTY STILL REPORTING NO CONFIRMED CASES
Eighty-six of Minnesota's 87 counties now have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Lake of the Woods County is the only county that has yet to report a confirmed case, although health officials say the virus is likely circulating in every Minnesota community, whether a county has a confirmed case or not.
LIVE MAP: A county-by-county breakdown of Minnesota's COVID-19 cases
MDH confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Minnesota on March 6. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic.
The State of Minnesota has a helpline for questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnesota Helpline
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19
The CDC and MDH recommend Minnesotans do the following to protect themselves and their loved ones and limit the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home and avoid gatherings with people outside of your household
- Keep 6 feet of space between yourself and other people when you do go out
- Wash your hands often
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Clean surfaces that you touch often
The CDC is now recommending people wear face masks in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain such as grocery stores and pharmacies as well as in areas that are seeing significant community transmission of the virus.
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, masks are now required indoors.
Wearing a mask can not only prevent you from getting sick, but also helps people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.