Minnesota reaches 30,000 in number of COVID-19 cases

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota has topped 30,000 in the number of positive tests for the coronavirus, state health officials said Saturday.

The number of new cases grew by 377 in the last day, ending a streak of three straight days of increases. The total of 30,172 COVID-19 cases includes 3,140 infected health care workers.

Nine new deaths were reported to put the total at 1,283, according to Minnesota Department of Health data. More than 10,000 positive tests and 700 deaths have been confirmed in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis.

The report again showed improving numbers for people requiring medical care. Officials said the number of hospitalizations continued to fall, from 403 on Friday to 390 on Saturday, and the number of patients in intensive care units is slowly going down.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.