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Minnesota has lost more than 8,000 lives to COVID-19, an illness that often results in pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Another 18 deaths were reported by state health officials on Tuesday, bringing the number of known pandemic-related deaths to 8,011.
The rate of death has slowed considerably since the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and a high absorption rate among the elderly population, which is most vulnerable to complications from COVID-19.
There are around seven deaths each day linked to the coronavirus infection. By comparison, around 60 to 70 people died each day during the great spate of cases last fall.
The Minnesota Department of Health also announced a three-day total of 6,352 new cases of COVID-19, for an average of about 2,117 cases per day. In early July, the health agency stopped reporting the number of cases on weekends, resulting in the notification of several days of cases on Tuesday.
The state’s test positivity rate fell to 6.8%, from a recent high of 7.1%.
But the growth rate of cases per capita continues to increase and is 37.8 new infections per 100,000 population, which is above the high risk level of 10.
791 people were hospitalized for complications from COVID-19 on Monday, up from 757 on Friday, setting a new record for 2021.
Hospitals across the state have been under stress due to staff shortages, COVID-19 cases and admissions related to other illnesses and injuries. Of the state’s 1,206 intensive care beds, 95% are occupied. About 92% of non-intensive care beds are full.
Seventeen hospitals had more than 95% of their beds occupied, according to data filed with the federal government last Thursday.
This included several of the largest hospitals in the metro area, but also hospitals in Owatonna, Faribault, Cambridge, Buffalo and Paynesville.
More than 3.2 million Minnesotans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, representing 68% of those eligible to receive the vaccine.
State officials said on Tuesday that the Mall of American COVID-19 vaccination site would more than triple its capacity and increase its hours of operation.
As of Thursday, the site will have enough vaccine to deliver 500 doses per day, up from 150 previously.
Hours will be extended from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The site, at the Southeast Court on Level 2, administers the Pfizer vaccine to eligible individuals 12 years of age and older. Parental or guardian consent is required for children under 18.
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