A slowdown in new COVID-19 cases in the region appears to have staying power.
North-central Minnesota, as well as the state as a whole, is experiencing a decline in positivity rate alongside a decrease in new cases reported compared to earlier this month, according to data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health.
In Crow Wing County, the total number of new cases reported in the last 14 days dropped to 369 Friday, April 23, after it topped out over 500 a week earlier. Active cases are also trending downward, dropping to 307 Crow Wing County residents who’ve tested positive and are currently infected with the disease.
Hospitalizations, meanwhile, rose by 14 this week, according to Crow Wing County officials — the latest rise in a statistic that’s seen more activity since mid-March. The state as a whole recorded 202 active intensive care admissions Thursday, which is the highest this figure’s been since December.
Morrison, Mille Lacs and Cass counties, where the curves were also steepening, are seeing the number of new cases reported there moderating as well. Morrison in particular slowed down, reporting 49 cases in the last seven days compared to 97 the week before. Mille Lacs dropped by 25% between the two weeks, from 100 cases to 76.
ADVERTISEMENT
An area resident was among those reported Friday to have died due to complications of the disease: a Mille Lacs County resident between 80 and 84 years old.
COVID-19 data as of April 23
Aitkin — 1,296 (+3 since Tuesday), with 36 deaths; 7,014 residents have received at least one vaccine dose, representing 52% of the county’s 16-plus population.
Cass — 2,552 (+42) with 26 deaths; 10,315 residents with at least one dose, 43%.
Crow Wing — 6,286 (+70), with 86 deaths; 25,713 residents with at least one dose, 50%.
Mille Lacs — 2,888 (+41), with 51 (+1) deaths; 9,855 residents with at least one dose, 48%.
Morrison — 3,995 (+27), with 59 deaths; 10,667 residents with at least one dose, 41%.
Todd — 2,713 (+19), with 30 deaths; 6,930 residents with at least one dose, 36%.
Wadena — 1,466 (+15), with 21 deaths; 4,808 residents with at least one dose, 45%.
NOTE: These numbers are cumulative since March 21, 2020, and many are out of isolation
