Second COVID-19 peak spreading more broadly in Minnesota

Health officials encourage social distancing, mask-wearing to prevent virus growth from fueling more hospitalizations, deaths.

Oct 13, 20200

ALEX KORMANN – Star Tribune count

Cheryl Odegaard, a medical assistant at St. Luke's Respiratory Clinic, administered a COVID-19 test to a patient in their drive-through testing site in September.

A second peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota is hitting a wider swath of the state than in the spring.

State health officials on Monday said the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was centered earlier this year in the Twin Cities, long-term care facilities and large rural food-processing plants, but it's now spreading more broadly across Minnesota communities. The 1,178 infections reported Monday - a record fifth straight day of more than 1,000 infections - came from 69 of Minnesota's 87 counties.

"We are past seeing spread in those very focused places, and we are seeing it everywhere," said Kris Ehresmann, state infectious disease director. "That is what is very different."

https://www.startribune.com/covid-19-hospital-admissions-for-minnesotans-reach-a-single-day-high/572714891/