COVID In Minnesota: Hospitalizations At Record High As 38 More Deaths Are Reported

From CBS Minnesota:

By WCCO-TV

November 24, 2020

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Just minutes after Minnesota lawmakers detailed plans to help businesses struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, state health officials reported Tuesday 6,423 more cases of the virus and 38 more deaths. Meanwhile, hospitalizations in Minnesota remain at record levels, straining the state’s hospitals and health care workers.

According to the latest Minnesota Department of Health data, the new infections bring the state’s overall COVID-19 case positive tally to nearly 283,000 as the added fatalities lift the death toll to 3,303. Of the most recent deaths, 21 were people in long-term care facilities, the demographic hardest hit by the pandemic. Still, younger Minnesotans are also dying, as one of the latest victims was in their late 30s.

A record 1,800 Minnesotans are currently hospitalized with the virus. As of Monday, 1,449 people were in general care beds while 379 people were in intensive care beds, both record highs. According to health officials, nearly 70% of the state’s ICU beds are currently in use. If COVID-19 cases continue to mount in Minnesota, hospitals and their exhausted staff members could be overwhelmed.

Read more at CBS Minnesota