REGIONAL — The number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 in the area continues to decline, with just two new cases reported in Nobles County during the 24-hour period that ended at 4 p.m. Sunday. Meanwhile, Jackson and Murray counties each had one new case and Cottonwood, Pipestone and Rock counties had no new cases, according to this morning’s update from the Minnesota Department of Health.
Statewide, another 1,087 Minnesotans tested positive for the novel coronavirus during the 24-hour period.
Another 13 deaths were also recorded during the one-day reporting period. These included six individuals who resided in private residences and seven individuals in long-term care facilities. The cumulative death total from the novel coronavirus in Minnesota now stands at 5,160, including 3,339 residents of long-term care facilities.
The state’s cumulative total of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases stands at 410,138 (positive tests and antigen tests), with 391,248 beyond the 10-day isolation period. Thus far, 31,605 Minnesota health care workers have contracted the novel coronavirus.
A local snapshot of the virus shows the following cumulative totals since testing began. The number of recoveries and positivity rate are based on information released Dec. 24 by MDH.
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Nobles County: 3,443 positive cases; 61 probable cases; 3,371 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 19.7% positivity rate among individuals tested; 44 deaths.
Cottonwood County: 1,131 positive cases; 79 probable cases; 1,135 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 10.8% positivity rate; 14 deaths.
Jackson County: 735 positive cases; 44 probable cases; 699 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 10.9% positivity rate; eight deaths.
Murray County: 711 positive cases; 35 probable cases; 708 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 9.4% positivity rate; five deaths.
Pipestone County: 838 positive cases; 25 probable cases; 822 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 8.4% positivity rate; 21 deaths.
Rock County: 953 positive cases; 58 probable cases; 959 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 8.6% positivity rate; 10 deaths.
A saliva testing site for COVID-19 is now open at the Worthington Event Center, 1447 Prairie Drive. Appointments are encouraged online at mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php, although walk-ins are welcome.
Congregate care facilities with COVID-19 exposures as of Dec. 18 included Crossroads Care Center and Ecumen Meadows, Worthington; Colonial Manor Nursing Home, Lakefield; Edgebrook Care Center, Edgerton; Good Samaritan Society homes in Jackson, Luverne, Mountain Lake, Pipestone, and Windom; Maple Lawn Senior Care and Maplewood Court Assisted Living, Fulda; and the Minnesota Veterans Home, Luverne.
The Iowa Department of Health reports 275,470 cases of COVID-19 in its state since testing began, with 229,623 individuals considered recovered. Thus far, 3,745 deaths are blamed on COVID-19 in the state.
In northwest Iowa:
Dickinson County: 1,672 positive cases (five new cases); 1,401 recovered; 15 deaths. Long-term care facilities with current infections include Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake with 28 cases and one recovery thus far.
Lyon County: 1,226 positive cases (one new case); 1,039 recovered; 24 deaths. Long-term care facilities with current infections include the Rock Rapids Health Centre with 21 cases and one recovery thus far.
Osceola County: 607 positive cases (no new cases); 531 recovered; seven deaths. Long-term care facilities with current infections include Country View Manor, Sibley, with 34 cases and 26 recoveries thus far.
Nationwide, Johns Hopkins University reports a cumulative total of 19,151,651 positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 10:30 a.m. today. Recovery data is not available. There have been 333,326 COVID-related deaths in the United States.
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