The state reported 998 new COVID-19 cases today along with 11 new deaths, none of which were in the Lakeland viewing area. Only one of the deaths came from a person in long-term care.

Hospitalizations in the state are continuing their recent downward trend with overall hospitalizations falling 10.6% compared to a week ago. Breaking it down, there are currently 425 people hospitalized in non-ICU beds compared to 465 a week ago. There are currently 149 people hospitalized in ICU beds compared to 178 a week ago.

The cases came from 13,840 tests for a case positivity rate of 7.2%. The seven-day rolling average for case positivity has now fallen to 6.2%, which is still about the 5% caution range.

In the Lakeland viewing area, there were 68 confirmed cases reported in the following counties:

• Aitkin – 1
• Beltrami – 5
• Cass –2
• Clearwater – 2
• Crow Wing – 16
• Hubbard – 7
• Itasca – 19
• Koochiching – 1
• Mahnomen – 3
• Mille Lacs – 1
• Morrison – 5
• Todd – 5
• Wadena – 1

By — Betsy Melin