New regional cases of COVID-19 remain few

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

Mar. 7—REGIONAL — Nobles, Jackson and Pipestone counties each recorded one resident testing positive for COVID-19 during the 24-hour period that culminated at 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Sunday's update from the Minnesota Department of Health. Meanwhile, Cottonwood, Murray and Rock counties each had no new cases during the single day.

Statewide, another 897 individuals received positive test results for the novel coronavirus during the one-day period. The state's cumulative total of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases now stands at 490,011 (positive and antigen tests), with 476,055 beyond the 10-day isolation period. Thus far, 38,007 Minnesota health care workers have contracted the virus.

Four more COVID-related deaths were also recorded during the 24-hour span. Among the dead were three individuals who resided in a private residence and one individual who were residents of a long-term care or assisted living facility.. Minnesota's death toll from the virus now stands at 6,550, including 4,079 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 Thursday, and the percentage of residents who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Wednesday shows:

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Nobles County: 3,873 cases; 3,806 recoveries; 47 deaths; 17.7%.

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Cottonwood County: 1,361 cases; 1,315 recoveries; 20 deaths; 24.7%.

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Jackson County: 947 cases; 913 recoveries; 10 deaths; 20.4%.

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Murray County: 954 cases; 927 recoveries; eight deaths; 23.2%.

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Pipestone County: 1,019 cases; 983 recoveries; 24 deaths; 22.9%.

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Rock County: 1,163 cases; 1,139 recoveries; 14 deaths; 20.6%.

A walk-through COVID-19 saliva testing site is open at the Worthington Event Center, 1447 Prairie Drive. Appointments are encouraged at mncovidtestingappt.as.me/schedule.php, although walk-ins are welcome. Hours for free testing are noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

People are asked to stay home if sick or someone in their home is awaiting results of a COVID test. Hand washing with soap for at least 20 seconds, physical distancing, staying out of crowded/confined spaces with others, and wearing face masks in public places is still advised.

The Iowa Department of Health reports 367,008 cases of COVID-19 since testing began. Thus far, 5,558 deaths are blamed on the novel coronavirus in the state.

In northwest Iowa:

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Dickinson County: 2,201 positive cases (two new cases); 1,894 recovered; 40 deaths.

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Lyon County: 1,462 positive cases (no new cases); 1,380 recovered; 41 deaths.

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Osceola County: 708 positive cases (no new cases); 644 recovered; 15 deaths.

Johns Hopkins University reports a nationwide cumulative total of 28,956,440 positive cases of COVID-19 as of 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Thus far, 524,463 Americans have died from the virus.

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