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Credit: Office of the Governor via YouTube
Governor Tim Walz called on the Minnesotans to “honor” those who lost their lives to COVID-19 on a day the state released a record 101 deaths from the virus.
The one-day high shattered the previous high of 72 – reported two days in November – and comes after a period of spikes in cases and hospitalizations from the virus.
Among the deaths reported on Friday was one person aged 25 to 29 in Hennepin County.
More pain could follow in the coming weeks, with hospitalizations from COVID-19 reaching a record earlier this week, with deaths tending to delay hospitalizations.
In a statement released Friday, Walz called on the Minnesotans to honor those who have died by taking action to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“For Thanksgiving, many Minnesota residents have made their holiday tables smaller than they normally do,” he said. “Many chose to do this to protect their families from the spread of COVID-19. But for the more than 3,000 families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19, it was not a choice. These chairs will remain. still empty. “
He added: “As we take this dark step forward, we owe these families a promise. We have to promise them that their loved ones have not died in vain. We have to honor them by fighting this virus at every turn. We have to redouble it. efforts to protect each other.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm also released a statement in which she said Friday’s figures were “a sad development” but “not surprising”.
“For weeks we have sounded the alarm bells about the dramatic growth in COVID-19 cases,” she said. “We know that more cases lead to more hospitalizations and deaths, and today’s news reinforces this tragic pattern.
“As we go through the next few weeks and a holiday season unlike any we have ever experienced, we need to redouble our efforts to protect each other, especially those who are at higher risk of developing serious illness. All public activities are now more risky. that just a few weeks ago, therefore, the best way to slow this spread is for people to stay home and away from gatherings with those outside our immediate home. “
Walz has imposed a 4-week closure of bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as a ban on gatherings with anyone outside their homes.
At the same time, however, he acknowledged that the ban on gatherings was largely unenforceable. How many people stuck with the Thanksgiving advice will likely be discovered through the virus case numbers in the coming weeks.
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