Health & Fitness
Minnesota Is Now America's 'COVID-19 Hot Spot'
The COVID-19 positivity rate in the Land of 10,000 Lakes now leads the nation.
MINNESOTA — Minnesota is now number one in something nobody wanted: the state's rate of new COVID-19 infections is now the highest in the United States.
Just last week, 1,282 Minnesotans were hospitalized due to COVID-19, the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reports. Of those cases, 311 required the use of intensive care units.
Minnesota's COVID-19 positivity rate is now 9.7 percent. The state's all-time positivity rate high during the pandemic is 10 percent, which was hit in December 2020.
Find out what's happening in Across Minnesotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The surge is draining hospitals — many of which are already understaffed — of crucial resources. Over 95 percent of Minnesota's available inpatient hospital beds are currently filled.
Other states in the Midwest, including Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Dakota are also reporting COVID-19 spikes.
Find out what's happening in Across Minnesotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
MN Teen Dies, State COVID-19 Deaths Pass 9,000 Mark
Another teenager has died of COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Tuesday. The teen's death comes as the state passed 9,000 deaths from the virus.
The teen lived in Goodhue County.
As of Tuesday, 9,047 Minnesotas have died from COVID-19. Five Minnesotans under 20 have died as a result of the virus.
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