While most statistical measures indicate the spread of the coronavirus in Minnesota continues to slow, December is shaping up to be the deadliest month the state has seen during the pandemic.

The number of north-central Minnesota residents who’ve succumbed to complications of COVID-19 is nearing 200 with seven more deaths recorded Saturday, Dec. 12, through Tuesday, Dec. 15. Todd County added three deaths, with two people ages 70-74 and a third age 85-89. Crow Wing County saw two more deaths in those ages 85-89 and 90-94, bringing the county’s death toll to 48. A Mille Lacs County resident age 40-44 died, as well as a Wadena County resident age 85-89.

With 195 deaths recorded so far in the seven-county region — including Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd and Wadena — the death rate is slightly higher than that of the state as a whole based on 2019 population estimates.

New cases, on the other hand, continue to grow much more slowly than occurred in November. In Crow Wing County, it took 208 days to reach the first 1,000 cases. The second 1,000 cases took 17 days and the third 1,000 cases took 11 days. The fourth set of 1,000 cases slowed a bit, taking 15 days. Now at 4,282 cases, the fifth set of 1,000 cases is on pace to take 32 days, representing significantly slower growth.

COVID-19 data as of Dec. 11

• Aitkin — 941 (+57 since Friday, Dec. 11), with 31 deaths.

• Cass — 1,777 (+72), with 13 deaths.

• Crow Wing — 4,282 (+121), with 48 (+2) deaths.

• Mille Lacs — 1,904 (+80), with 38 (+1) deaths.

• Morrison — 2,767 (+75), with 36 deaths.

• Todd — 2,121 (+44), with 19 (+3) deaths.

• Wadena — 1,035 (+48), with 10 (+1) deaths.