10-29 MN COVID-19 Update: 2,872 Cases Set New Daily Record

MN COVID-19 Update from the Minnesota Department of Health 10-29-2020

Read the 10-28-2020 COVID-19 Update from the Minnesota Department of Health Here

The Minnesota Department of Health held a conference call Thursday to brief members of the media on the latest public health information regarding COVID-19. This is a summary of that call. 

MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm:

• Globally, 44.7 million cases since pandemic began; 1.18 million deaths
• In U.S., 8.98 million cases since start of pandemic (up 79,000 cases); 228,000 deaths (up 975)
• In Minnesota, 142,311 confirmed cases (up 2,872 over prior reporting day). New cases on testing volume of 27,800 tests.
• The 2,872 cases breaks daily record for cases of the novel coronavirus. (Previous daily high in Minnesota was 2,300 cases set last week)
  • “The way things are going I’m sorry to say that I don’t think that record is going to hold for very long,” said Malcolm.
  • This is 4th day this month with more than 2,000 cases.
• Of the 142,311 cases, 124,379 (87%) are no longer considered infectious.
• In Minnesota, 2,419 cumulative deaths (up 32 over prior reporting day).
• Of the 32 newly reported deaths, 20 involved residents at assisted living/long-term care facilities
  • None of the newly reported deaths in Hennepin County
• 685 Minnesotans currently hospitalized with COVID-19 (up 42). The number of hospitalizations also a new daily high. 168 patients in Minnesota ICUs.
• 7-day average test positivity rate is now 6.8%. This continues to increase and “we know that test positivity rate is going to go higher in the coming days.”
• “The growth that we’re seeing isn’t just caused by one or two big events,” said Malcolm. “It’s driven by literally thousands of seemingly small decisions people are making every day without realizing the full impact those decisions are having on their families, their neighbors and their community.”
  • Malcolm notes small, everyday gatherings are spreading the virus into long-term care facilities, hospitals, schools, youth sports and businesses.

MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann:

• “Minnesota sadly appears to be approaching the kind of explosive growth we’ve seen in neighboring states.”
• Working on update to plan to help long-term care facilities
• Case growth in long-term care facilities has been slower than case growth in the state as a whole.
  • Minnesota has been at the bottom of all states for COVID-19 cases
  • Ehresmann noted that Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus advisor, praised Minnesota for its work at LTC facilities during her visit last weekend.
  • Cases in the community, however, placing tremendous pressure on long-term care facilities.
  • 186 new cases in LTC facilities on Tuesday alone.
• CDC published latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report today.
  • One of the key findings according to the study: More than 1/3 of high-risk exposures for frontline health care workers occurred outside direct patient care. Since July that percentage has flipped. 60% of high-risk exposures for health care workers occur outside workplace.
  • Weddings, birthday parties, bonfire gatherings led to cases in health care settings.
  • Workers in long-term care more likely return to work before end of quarantine period due to staffing shortages, said Ehresmann.

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