Only three new cases of COVID-19 in region

Ryan McGaughey, The Daily Globe, Worthington, Minn.
·3 min read

May 16—REGIONAL — The number of new cases of COVID-19 around southwest Minnesota dropped significantly Sunday, as only three cases were added in the six-county region. Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties reported one new case each of COVID-19, according to Sunday morning's update from the Minnesota Department of Health, while Cottonwood, Jackson and Murray counties all had no new cases.

Statewide, there were 805 new cases recorded during the 24-hour period that ended at 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Sunday morning's update. The cumulative total of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Minnesota now stands at 594,427 (positive and antigen tests), with 578,338 beyond the 10-day isolation period. Thus far, 42,222 Minnesota healthcare workers have contracted the virus.

There were 10 new COVID-related deaths recorded during the one-day period. Among them were eight individuals from private residences and two residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities. Minnesota's death toll from the virus now stands at 7,296, including 4,390 residents of long-term care facilities.

A local snapshot of COVID-19, with current cumulative positive and probable test results and deaths as reported by MDH, recovery data (beyond the 10-day isolation period) as of May 13, and the percentage of residents aged 16 and older who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday shows:

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Cottonwood County: 1,658 cases; 1,594 recoveries; 23 deaths; 55%.

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Jackson County: 1,218 cases; 1,198 recoveries; 12 deaths; 46%.

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Murray County: 1,063 cases; 1,043 recoveries; nine deaths; 51%.

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Nobles County: 4,081 cases; 4,014 recoveries; 48 deaths; 57%.

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Pipestone County: 1,160 cases; 1,112 recoveries; 26 deaths; 52%.

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Rock County: 1,284 cases; 1,250 recoveries; 19 deaths; 49%.

A free saliva testing site for COVID-19 is open at the Worthington Event Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Area long-term care facilities reporting COVID-19 exposures on May 13 include Crossroads Care Center, Worthington; Evangelical Lutheran and Mikkelson Manor Good Samaritan Society homes, Windom; Lakeview Assisted Living, Heron Lake; Valley View Assisted Living, Lakefield, the Good Samaritan Society in Pipestone; Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton and the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

All Minnesota residents aged 12 and older are now eligible for coronavirus vaccines. The Public Health department encourages all eligible individuals to seek vaccination. Private providers in Worthington include Access Family Medical Clinic/Avera Medical Group, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Sanford Health, Sterling Drug and Walgreens. Vaccine is also available through Nobles County's Public Health department.

The Iowa Department of Health reports 399,466 cases of COVID-19 since testing began. Thus far, 6,006 deaths are blamed on the novel coronavirus in the state.

In northwest Iowa:

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Dickinson County: 2,674 positive cases (no new cases); 2,388 recovered; 43 deaths.

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Lyon County: 1,588 positive cases (no new cases); 1,510 recovered; 41 deaths.

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Osceola County: 815 positive cases (no new cases); 741 recovered; 16 deaths.

Johns Hopkins University reports a nationwide cumulative total of 32,925,882 positive cases of COVID-19 as of 10:30 a.m. Friday. Thus far, 585,729 Americans have died from the virus.

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