REGIONAL —Cottonwood County reported two new positive COVID-19 infections during the 24-hour period that ended at 4 p.m. Saturday, while Pipestone County recorded one new case. Jackson, Murray, Nobles and Rock counties each had new no COVID-19 cases.
Statewide, another 956 new probable and positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the single day. The cumulative total of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases now stands at 505,224 (positive and antigen tests), with 488,156 beyond the 10-day isolation period. Thus far, 38,724 Minnesota health care workers have contracted the virus.
There were five newly reported deaths during the one-day period, including four individuals who resided in a private residence and one individual who was a resident of long-term care or assisted living facilities. Minnesota’s death toll from the virus now stands at 6,782, including 4,248 residents of long-term care facilities.
A local snapshot of COVID-19, with current cumulative positive and probable test results and deaths as reported by MDH, recovery data (beyond the 10-day isolation period) as of March 18, and the percentage of residents who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday shows:
Nobles County: 3,896 cases; 3,832 recoveries; 47 deaths; 30.8%. As of Thursday, there were 11 individuals within their 10-day isolation period, including one individual between birth and age 10; two individuals ages 20-25; five individuals ages 26-50; two individuals ages 51-64; and one individual aged 65 and older.
Cottonwood County: 1,422 cases; 1,343 recoveries; 20 deaths; 31.5%.
Jackson County: 968 cases; 937 recoveries; 10 deaths; 27.2%.
Murray County: 963 cases; 950 recoveries; eight deaths; 29.4%.
Pipestone County: 1,032 cases; 994 recoveries; 24 deaths; 27.9%.
Rock County: 1,184 cases; 1,153 recoveries; 16 deaths; 25.1%.
A walk-through COVID-19 saliva testing site is open at the Worthington Event Center, 1447 Prairie Drive. Appointments are encouraged at mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php, although walk-ins are welcome. Hours for free testing are noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
People are asked to stay home if sick or someone in their home is awaiting results of a COVID test. Hand washing with soap for at least 20 seconds, physical distancing, staying out of crowded/confined spaces with others, and wearing face masks in public places is still advised.
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Congregate care facilities with current COVID-19 exposures include Maple Lawn Senior Care, Fulda.
The Iowa Department of Health reports 373,700 cases of COVID-19 since testing began. Thus far, 5,675 deaths are blamed on the novel coronavirus in the state.
In northwest Iowa:
Dickinson County: 2,326 positive cases (six new cases); 1,959 recovered; 41 deaths.
Lyon County: 1,487 positive cases (three new cases); 1,408 recovered; 41 deaths.
Osceola County: 716 positive cases (no new cases); 654 recovered; 15 deaths.
Johns Hopkins University reports a nationwide cumulative total of 29,787,742 positive cases of COVID-19 as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Thus far, 541,982 Americans have died from the virus.
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