MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota officials reported 16 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday - the highest daily total the state has seen in more than a month - as the rate of new infections also continues to rise.
Minnesota is reporting 17 new coronavirus infections per day per 100,000 people, the highest rate in the pandemic, the Star Tribune reported. While there has also been a record high rate of testing for COVID-19, state officials say the growing infection rates show the virus is present statewide.
On Wednesday, Minnesota reported 689 new COVID-19 cases in 69 of the state’s 87 counties.
The rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations has also increased - 6 people are being admitted to hospitals per 100,000 per week, up from 4.7 a week earlier. And, the positivity rate of diagnostic testing has gone back above 5%, indicating a growing rate of infection.
The 16 deaths reported Wednesday all involved people 60 and older, and nine involved residents of long-term care or assisted-living facilities.
The state has now reported 99,134 lab-confirmed infections overall, including 89,392 people who have recovered.
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