Four area counties report COVID deaths

Four area counties reported COVID-19 deaths Thursday.

According to the  Minnesota Department of Health’s January 13 daily update, there were a total 52 deaths statewide, 47 of those fatalities occurring this month.  That brings Minnesota’s death toll to 10,939.

Two of the local deaths were residents of Cottonwood and Le Sueur counties, both in their late 90’s.  A death in Faribualt County involved a victim in their late 50’s, and in Waseca County, a person in their late 70’s died.

Another 11,510 new infections were reported Thursday.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says every county in Minnesota, and the entire U.S., is grappling with high levels of community transmission.

A capacity report shows 1,588 patients were hospitalized as of Wednesday, which includes 253 intensive care cases.