Two new COVID-19 deaths, 207 new cases in region
Nov. 10—MANKATO — South-central Minnesota had two newly confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 207 cases Wednesday.
The deaths occurred in a Brown County resident between 65-69 years old and a Martin County resident between 85-89, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
They were among 43 confirmed COVID-19 deaths statewide Wednesday, raising Minnesota's pandemic toll to 8,925.
The south-central region's nine counties have combined for 340 deaths from COVID-19 during the pandemic. November's COVID-19 death toll is at 19.
November already has the fifth most confirmed COVID-19 deaths among all months since the pandemic began. It remains on pace to surpass October's 42, the second highest monthly toll.
Brown County has had 53 deaths from COVID-19, while Martin County has had 42. They have the third and second highest COVID-19 death rates per 10,000 residents, respectively, close behind Faribault County's region-high rate.
The 207 new cases Wednesday were a large uptick from the 92 confirmed one week ago. Case counts don't yet include backlogged cases waiting to be processed from the weekend.
On Tuesday the health department stated recent case growth exceeded its intake capacity over the weekend, leading to the backlog.
Of the 207 new cases, Blue Earth County's 84 were the most in the nine-county region. All the counties had at least eight new cases.
The full list of new cases confirmed by county Wednesday includes:
* Blue Earth County — 84
* Nicollet County — 25
* Le Sueur County — 23
* Martin County — 21
* Brown County — 13
* Waseca County — 12
* Faribault County — 11
* Sibley County — 10
* Watonwan County — 8
Statewide, the COVID-19 burden on hospitals is growing rapidly again as Minnesota struggles through a summer-fall surge that refuses to retreat.
Case levels are trending at their highest level in 2021 — averaging 3,400 a day over the past seven reporting days. Active cases also reached a 2021 high — 25,623.
During a media briefing Wednesday, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters the surge is partly due to waning vaccine immunity among people who were inoculated early in 2021.
"We find ourselves in a really truly alarming spike in cases in recent days," she said.
Wednesday's health department update showed 1,159 people hospitalized with COVID-19 — a 17% jump from Friday — with 257 needing intensive care.
Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced another emergency staffing team of 14 Minnesota National Guard members and nine federal nurses will treat patients at a facility in Brainerd to help relieve hospital capacity in central and northern Minnesota by accepting up to 34 patients from area hospitals.
State officials also pleaded with Minnesotans to take care and take precautions against spreading the disease as Thanksgiving and other year-end celebrations approach and children return home from college.
"We don't want to miss out on the holidays, but at the same time we don't want to be the person who passes a potentially deadly disease to a loved one," said Kris Ehresmann, the state's infectious disease director.
State public health leaders continue to plead with Minnesotans to stay vigilant and get vaccinated, warning that another surge is possible.
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