New COVID-19 infections remain at low levels

Feb. 24—REGIONAL — The Minnesota Department of Health reported 761 new COVID-19 infections among residents during the 24-hour reporting period that culminated at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Among the new cases were two individuals each in Jackson, Nobles and Rock counties, and one individual each in Cottonwood and Murray counties.

The state's cumulative total of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases now stands at 480,845 (positive and antigen tests), with 467,969 beyond the 10-day isolation period. Thus far, 37,540 Minnesota health care workers have contracted the virus.

Nine new deaths were also reported during the one-day period, including seven individuals who resided in private residences and two individuals who resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities. Minnesota's death toll from the virus now stands at 6,443, including 4,040 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 Feb. 18, and the percentage of residents who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Wednesday shows:

*

Nobles County: 3,853 cases; 3,742 recoveries; 47 deaths; 11.1%.

*

Cottonwood County: 1,335 cases; 1,296 recoveries; 20 deaths; 15.6%.

*

Jackson County: 925 cases; 887 recoveries; 10 deaths; 11.3%.

*

Murray County: 941 cases; 922 recoveries; eight deaths; 16.6%.

*

Pipestone County: 1,007 cases; 971recoveries; 24 deaths; 13%.

*

Rock County: 1,155 cases; 1,132 recoveries; 13 deaths; 13.1%.

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.

Congregate care facilities with COVID-19 exposures as of Feb. 19 included Ecumen Meadows, Worthington; Colonial Manor, Lakefield; Good Samaritan Society of Pipestone; and Maple Lawn Senior Care, Fulda.

The Iowa Department of Health reports 361,064 cases of COVID-19 since testing began. Thus far, 5,415 deaths are blamed on the novel coronavirus in the state.

In northwest Iowa:

*

Dickinson County: 2,158 positive cases (nine new cases); 1,869 recovered; 38 deaths.

*

Lyon County: 1,453 positive cases (no new cases); 1,358 recovered; 41 deaths.

*

Osceola County: 697 positive cases (two new cases); 639 recovered; 14 deaths.

Johns Hopkins University reports a nationwide cumulative total of 28,276,238 positive cases of COVID-19 as of 11:30 a.m. today. Thus far, 503,296 Americans have died from the virus.

As a public service, we've opened this article to everyone regardless of subscription status. If this coverage is important to you, please consider supporting local journalism by clicking on the subscribe button in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.