Minnesota coronavirus infection number tops 800K

More than 800,000 infections with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 have been reported in Minnesota, which saw two key indicators of pandemic severity increase Tuesday after some hopeful declines last month.

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota increased Monday to 978 - seesawing between a recent high of 1,008 on Oct. 15 and a low of 907 on Oct. 22 - while the state's reported positivity rate of diagnostic testing increased to 7.9%.

Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday announced the opening of a temporary alternative care site to relieve pressure on hospitals by taking patients who are ready to be discharged from inpatient beds but still need transitional care. Benedictine St. Gertrude's in Shakopee will take up to 30 patients from area hospitals, using an emergency staffing pool of eight nurses and four nursing assistants along with specially trained members of the Minnesota National Guard.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-coronavirus-infection-number-tops-800k/600112361/