REGIONAL — The Minnesota Department of Health recorded eight new deaths and 727 more residents testing positive for COVID-19 during the 24-hour period that ended at 4 p.m. Monday.
Among the eight deaths were seven individuals who resided in private residences and one who was a resident of a long-term care or assisted living facility. The death toll from the virus in Minnesota now stands at 6,106, including 3,877 residents of long-term care facilities.
The number of new COVID-19 cases in the area remained low, with Pipestone County recording three new positive tests, followed by Jackson and Rock counties with two new cases each, Cottonwood County with one new case and Nobles and Murray counties reporting no new cases during the 24-hour period.
The state’s cumulative total of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases now stands at 456,490 (positive and antigen tests), with 440,596 beyond the 10-day isolation period. Thus far, 35,687 Minnesota health care workers have contracted the virus.
A local snapshot of COVID-19, with current cumulative positive and probable test results, as well as recovery data (beyond the 10-day isolation period) and positivity rate among those tested, based on a weekly reported issued Jan. 21 by MDH shows:
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Nobles County: 3,748 cases; 3,642 recoveries (as of Monday); 18.3% positivity rate; 47 deaths. The 59 currently infected residents include nine individuals birth to age 10; five aged 11 to 15; three aged 16 to 19; five aged 20 to 25; 15 aged 26 to 50; 14 aged 51 to 64; and eight aged 65 and older.
Cottonwood County: 1,292 cases; 1,226 recoveries; 9.9% positivity rate; 18 deaths.
Jackson County: 875 cases; 824 recoveries; 10.2% positivity rate; 10 deaths.
Murray County: 913 cases; 857 recoveries; 9.2% positivity rate; seven deaths.
Pipestone County: 975 cases; 892 recoveries; 7.9% positivity rate; 23 deaths.
Rock County: 1,122 cases; 1,062 recoveries; 8.2% positivity rate; 12 deaths.
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 Jan. 22 included Ecumen Meadows, Worthington; Good Samaritan Society of Mountain Lake; Lindenwood Assisted Living, Slayton; Maple Lawn and Maplewood Court, Fulda; and the Minnesota Veterans Home, Luverne.
The Iowa Department of Health reports 314,066 cases of COVID-19 since testing began, with 276,451 recoveries. Thus far, 4,492 deaths are blamed on COVID-19 in the state.
In northwest Iowa:
Dickinson County: 1,892 positive cases (one new case); 1,679 recovered; 29 deaths.
Lyon County: 1,379 positive cases (four new cases); 1,220 recovered; 33 deaths.
Osceola County: 650 positive cases (three new cases); 602 recovered; 11 deaths.
Johns Hopkins University reports a nationwide cumulative total of 25,306,581 positive cases of COVID-19 as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Thus far, 421,890 Americans have died from the virus.
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