The daily coronavirus update: six more deaths, 717 more cases in Minnesota

MinnPost provides updates on coronavirus in Minnesota Sunday through Friday. The information is published following a press phone call with members of the Walz administration or after the release of daily COVID-19 figures by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Here are the latest updates from August 23, 2020:

Six more Minnesotans have died of COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Health said Sunday, for a total of 1,767.

Of the people whose deaths were announced Sunday, one was in their 90s, one was in their 80s, three were in their 70s and one was in their 40s. Four of the 6 deaths announced Sunday were among residents of long-term care facilities. Of the 1,767 COVID-19 deaths reported in Minnesota, 1,310 have been among residents of long-term care.

The current death toll only includes Minnesotans with lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 tests.

MDH also said Sunday there have been 69,584 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota. The number of confirmed cases is up 717 from Saturday’s count and is based on 16,718 new tests. You can find the seven-day positive case average here.

On Saturday, MDH reported eight additional deaths and an increase of 734 cases from Friday’s count. Four of the eight people whose deaths were announced Saturday were residents of long-term care. Two people were in their 90s, three were in their 80s, two were in their 70s and one was in their 50s.

Since the start of the outbreak, 6,151 Minnesotans have been hospitalized and 301 are currently in the hospital, 137 of which are in intensive care. The number of people in the ICU is down 11 from Saturday, and the total number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is down by 15. You can find more information about Minnesota’s current ICU usage and capacity here.

Of the 69,584 confirmed positive cases in Minnesota, 62,373 are believed to have recovered.

Today on MinnPost

• Yes, there are actually Minnesotans opening new child care facilities during the pandemic.
• Asking yourself how long it’s been since this all started? Us too. 
• As always, a look at the numbers on the MinnPost COVID-19 dashboard.

Around the web

• As restaurants take over sidewalks to provide safer dining during the pandemic, the practice may come into conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reports the Washington Post.
• With no end to a state shutdown in sight, Texas bar owners and employers are on the brink of losing everything, reports the Texas Tribune.
• The Los Angeles Times reports on another coronavirus inequity: Those who can afford to stay in place and those who must move.

MDH’s coronavirus website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html

Hotline, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: 651-201-3920

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