COVID-19 testing shows 24 new cases in Nobles County, with area counties also seeing increases in cases

Julie Buntjer, The Daily Globe, Worthington, Minn.
·4 min read

Oct. 5—WORTHINGTON — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the country with the delta variant causing more infections both among the unvaccinated and the vaccinated.

In its daily report Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 7,133 new PCH positive and antigen positive cases of the virus statewide. Of those new cases, 24 were reported in Nobles County, 18 in Cottonwood County, 14 in Jackson County, 10 in Murray County, eight in Rock County and four in Pipestone County.

In addition, 12 more COVID-related deaths were reported statewide, including nine individuals from private residences, and three from long-term care or assisted living facilities. Since the virus was discovered, 8,203 Minnesotans have reportedly died from its complications — including 4,648 individuals residing in long-term care or assisted living facilities. Meanwhile, there have been 725,451 confirmed and probable positive cases of the virus in the state, with 669,763 of those individuals no longer isolating.

Among Minnesota's health care workers, 47,248 individuals have tested positive for the virus thus far.

Following is current data on the virus in the far corner of southwest Minnesota:

Nobles County: 4,667 cases; 4,480 recovered; 51 deaths; 65.1% of residents aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Cottonwood County: 1,856 cases; 1,761 recovered; 24 deaths; 61% vaccinated.

Jackson County: 1,402 cases; 1,339 recovered; 12 deaths; 56.4% vaccinated.

Murray County: 1,246 cases; 1,153 recovered; 10 deaths; 60% vaccinated.

Pipestone County: 1,283 cases; 1,229 recovered; 27 deaths; 54.5% vaccinated.

Rock County: 1,483 cases; 1,398 recovered; 19 deaths; 55.9% vaccinated.

MDH continues to track outbreaks in schools and long-term care facilities in the state. Currently, Luverne High School in Rock County has an outbreak (five or more positive cases of the virus). Also, long-term care facilities with current outbreaks include the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Good Samaritan Society in Westbrook and Ecumen Meadows in Worthington.

All Minnesota residents aged 12 and older are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine. The Nobles County Public Health department encourages all eligible individuals to seek vaccination. Private providers in Worthington include Access Family Medical Clinic/Avera Medical Group, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Sanford Health, Sterling Drug and Walgreens. Contact Nobles County Public Health at 295-5213 if interested in receiving a vaccine or if you have questions regarding receiving a vaccine.

On Monday, the Iowa Department of Health reported 495,810 cases of COVID-19 since testing began, with 9,841 of those cases reported within the last seven days. Thus far, 6,563 deaths are blamed on the virus in the state. As of Monday, 629 individuals were hospitalized with complications from COVID-19, with another 140 patients in Intensive Care Units in the state. Of those patients in ICU, 87.8% were not fully vaccinated against the virus, while 76.47% of hospitalized individuals were not fully vaccinated.

In northwest Iowa, the number of positive cases in the last seven days, along with the percentage of fully vaccinated residents aged 18 and older are as follows:

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Dickinson County: 79 cases; 62.1% fully vaccinated.

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Lyon County: 45 cases; 48.7% fully vaccinated.

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Osceola County: 16 cases; 51.7% fully vaccinated.

Johns Hopkins University reports a nationwide cumulative total of 43,862,984 positive cases of COVID-19 as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, with 3,737,717 of those cases reported in the last 28 days. Thus far, 703,698 Americans have died from the virus, including 53,583 people in the last 28 days.

The Minnesota Department of Health continues to ask people to stay home if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and/or are awaiting test results, and to practice universal precautions including washing hands with soap (for 20 seconds), social distancing, and avoiding crowded or confined spaces.

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