Minnesota tops 3,200 deaths since pandemic began

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota health officials have reported 51 new deaths and more than 6,200 additional infections.

The Star Tribune reports that since the pandemic arrived in Minnesota in March, the state’s pandemic tallies include 262,952 positive cases, 14,745 hospitalizations and 3,201 deaths.

Residents of long-term care and assisted-living facilities accounted for 31 of the newly announced deaths, and 2,192 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Numbers released Saturday show health care workers have accounted for 20,018 positive cases. More than 211,000 people who were infected no longer need to be isolated.

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus that surfaced late last year. People at greatest risk include those 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities and those with underlying medical conditions.

Those health problems range from lung disease and serious heart conditions to severe obesity and diabetes. People undergoing treatment for failing kidneys also run a greater risk, as do those with cancer and other conditions where treatments suppress immune systems.

Most patients with COVID-19 don’t need to be hospitalized. Most illnesses involve mild or moderate symptoms; many cases are asymptomatic.