Minnesota reports 11 new COVID-19 deaths; total hits 50

The Minnesota Department of Health reported 11 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, the state’s largest one-day increase since the pandemic began, raising the state’s total deaths from the disease to 50.

The department also reported 88 new confirmed cases on Thursday to raise Minnesota’s total to 1,242.The department said 145 patients were hospitalized as of Thursday, an increase of 10, while 63 were in intensive care, a decrease of one.

Health officials caution that the numbers represent only confirmed cases, and that the actual numbers of cases across Minnesota are much higher because not everyone qualifies for testing,

Also Thursday, Democrats kept up the pressure on Republicans to temporarily approve expanded voting by mail for the August primary and November general elections.

Minnesota Democratic Party Chairman Ken Martin, Sen. Nick Frentz of North Mankato and Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis pointed to Tuesday’s chaotic election in Wisconsin as an example of what they’d like to avoid.

Their proposal has similarities but also some differences with one offered Wednesday by Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon. His proposal got a cool reception from Republicans during a hearing by the House Elections Subcommittee. They expressed fear that the changes would open the door to election fraud.

(Image Credit: AP)