REGIONAL — Nobles, Murray and Rock counties each recorded another resident’s death due to complications from COVID-19, according to Friday’s update from the Minnesota Department of Health. The information was based on a 24-hour reporting period that ended at 4 p.m. Thursday.
The Nobles County individual was between the ages of 80 and 84, while the Rock and Murray county individuals were both between the ages of 75 and 79. No other information is provided by MDH.
Statewide, 61 more deaths are being blamed on COVID-19. Among the dead were 24 individuals who resided in private residences, 36 individuals in long-term care facilities, and one individual who resided in a group home or residential behavioral health facility. There have now been 3,845 Minnesotans lost to COVID-19, including 2,559 residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities.
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the area continues to rise, with Cottonwood County reporting 22 new cases during the 24-hour period. Rock County added another 21 cases, Jackson County added 13, Murray County added 12, Pipestone County added 11 and Nobles County added 10.
Another 5,371 individuals statewide tested positive for the novel coronavirus during the 24-hour period, bringing the state’s cumulative total of confirmed positive cases to 338,973 (positive tests and antigen tests), with 293,151 beyond the 10-day isolation period.
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Thus far, 24,646 Minnesota health care workers have contracted the novel coronavirus.
The Nobles County Joint Information Team asks everyone to stay home when feeling sick and/or awaiting COVID-19 test results, including those who live with them. Also, only members of the same household are advised to gather together.
“Residents need to remain vigilant in the use of universal precautions. Hand washing with soap (for 20 seconds), physical distancing, staying out of crowded/confined spaces with others, and the use of face masks are important,” the team stated.
A saliva testing site for COVID-19 is now open at the Worthington Event Center, 1447 Prairie Dr. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Appointments are encouraged online at mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php, although walk-ins are welcome.
A local snapshot of the virus shows the following cumulative totals since testing began. The number of recoveries and positivity rate is based on information released Dec. 3 by MDH.
Nobles County: 3,153 positive cases; 18 probable cases; 2,982 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 34 deaths; 20.9% positivity rate. As of Thursday, there were 149 residents infected with COVID-19. They included one individual between the ages of birth to age 10; three individuals aged 11-15; 11 individuals aged 16-19; 21 individuals aged 20-25; 54 individuals aged 26-50; 30 individuals aged 51-64; and 29 individuals aged 65 and older.
Cottonwood County: 919 positive cases; 48 probable cases; 773 beyond the 10-day isolation period; four deaths; 9.9% positivity rate.
Jackson County: 536 positive cases; 10 probable cases; 450 beyond the 10-day isolation period; one death; 9.9% positivity rate.
Murray County: 619 positive cases; seven probable cases; 549 beyond the 10-day isolation period; five deaths; 9.6% positivity rate.
Pipestone County: 765 positive cases; 12 probable cases; 661 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 18 deaths; 9% positivity rate.
Rock County: 828 positive cases; 19 probable cases; 716 beyond the 10-day isolation period; 10 deaths; 8.9% positivity rate.
Congregate care facilities in this area with COVID-19 exposures as of Friday include Ecumen Meadows, Golden Horizons and Crossroads Care Center, all in Worthington; Parkview Manor, Ellsworth; Colonial Manor Nursing Home and Valley View Assisted Living, Lakefield; Edgebrook Care Center and Edgebrook Estates Assisted Living, Edgerton; Good Samaritan Society homes in Jackson, Luverne, Mountain Lake, Pipestone, Windom and Westbrook; Maple Lawn Senior Care, Fulda; Good Samaritan Society/Mikkelsen Manor, Windom; the Minnesota Veterans Home, Luverne; and Ridgeview Estates, Pipestone.
The Iowa Department of Health reports 239,693 cases of COVID-19 in its state since testing began, with 152,331 individuals considered recovered. Thus far, 2,603 deaths are blamed on COVID-19 in the state.
In northwest Iowa:
Dickinson County: 1,461 positive cases (16 new cases); 932 recovered; 12 deaths. Long-term care facilities with current infections include Accura Health Care, Milford, with 21 cases reported in the last two weeks.
Lyon County: 1,077 positive cases (12 new cases); 661 recovered; nine deaths. Long-term care facilities with current infections include the Good Samaritan Society, George, with one new case reported in the last two weeks.
Osceola County: 548 positive cases (four new cases); 362 recovered; one death. Long-term care facilities with current infections include Country View Manor, Sibley, with 23 cases reported in the last two weeks.
Nationwide, Johns Hopkins University reports a cumulative total of 14,174,983 positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States as of 10:30 a.m. Friday, with 5,404,018 individuals deemed recovered. There have been 276,773 COVID-related deaths in the United States.
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