Gov. Walz To Make Announcement On COVID-19

Walz: Stay Home Order Will End Monday, Bars Could Reopen June 1

TWIN CITIES, MN — Minnesota's coronavirus peacetime emergency declaration by Gov. Tim Walz expires Wednesday, and the state's current stay-at-home order is to expire Monday.

It's not yet known if these measures, put in place to battle the spread of COVID-19, will continue. Walz has extended his emergency declaration once before, and he's extended the stay-at-home order twice previously.

On Tuesday, Walz signed a bill into law that extends the COVID-19 Minnesota fund used to increase testing capacity, ensure there are hospital beds for Minnesotans who need care, and purchase personal protective equipment.

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According to the governor's office, Walz will address Minnesotans 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the state’s next steps regarding the COVID-19 battle.

These MN Restaurants Say They Will Reopen, Regardless Of Law

Forced to stay closed since the end of March, some restaurants in Minnesota plan to fully reopen Monday even if Walz's stay-at-home order is extended

"Well as many of you can see ALL Shady's locations will be open May 18th at noon come hell or high water," Kris Schiffler — who operates bars in Albany, Burtrum, Cold Spring, St. Martin, New Munich and Rice — wrote on Facebook. Read more here.

Coronavirus In Minnesota

More than 600 Minnesotans have died from the new coronavirus, according to the latest figures from the Minnesota Department of Health. More than 12,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed.

Approximate number of completed tests: 120,834

• Approximate number of completed tests from the MDH Public Health Lab: 15,229
• Approximate number of completed tests from external laboratories: 105,605

Total positive cases: 12,494

• Number of health care workers: 1,436

Patients no longer needing isolation: 8,223

Deaths: 614

• Deaths among people in long-term care or assisted living facilities: 501

Total cases requiring hospitalization: 1,799

• Hospitalized as of Tuesday: 496
• Hospitalized in ICU as of Tuesday: 199

Read more:

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