Minnesota’s laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 20,000 Sunday with 728 new infections being reported by the state Department of Health.
Another 17 COVID-19 fatalities were also reported, bringing the state’s death toll to 869. Those who died ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s, and 13 were residents of congregate care facilities.
The coronavirus has been found in all but three of Minnesota’s 87 counties. There are 20,573 laboratory-confirmed cases, but health officials believe it is much more widespread.
Sixty-eight percent of people with confirmed cases — 14,115 patients — have recovered enough to no longer need to be isolated.
There were 553 people hospitalized with 207 in critical condition as of late Saturday afternoon. Since the outbreak began, 2,588 patients — about 13 percent of all confirmed cases — have required hospital care.
Minnesota has ramped up testing throughout the month of May. More than 8,400 test results were reported Sunday and nearly 200,000 patient samples have been screened since local testing became available in March.
Most tests are done by private labs. The state is partnering with the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota to continue to increase testing capacity throughout the state.
The goal is to reach 20,000 tests per day in the coming weeks.
State health officials estimate Minnesota’s COVID-19 infections will peak by mid-summer. Hospitals expect to need more than 3,000 intensive care beds and respirators when the number of serious patients reaches its peak.
