The Minnesota Department of Health reported 5,454 new COVID-19 cases today along with 36 newly reported deaths. This is the first time that the state has reported more than 5,000 new cases in a day.

Today’s case total marks the fourth day in a row the state has broken its single-day record, shattering the previous day’s total by more than 1,000 cases as Minnesota continues to see explosive case growth in the past week.

Five of the deaths came from residents in the Lakeland viewing area:

• One in Hubbard County, aged 85-89
• One in Mahnomen County, aged 75-79
• Two in Polk County, aged 80-84
• One in Roseau County, aged 75-79

The new cases came from 45,769 tests for a case positivity rate of 11.9%. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins researchers, the 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Minnesota has risen over the past two weeks from 1,578 on Oct. 22 to 3,222 on Nov. 5.

In the Lakeland viewing area, the state reported new cases on in the following counties:

• Aitkin – 15
• Beltrami – 40
• Cass – 40
• Crow Wing – 127
• Hubbard – 19
• Itasca – 39
• Lake of the Woods – 1
• Mahnomen – 3
• Mille Lacs – 60
• Morrison – 41
• Polk – 34
• Roseau – 21
• Todd – 38
• Wadena – 28

By — Destiny Wiggins