Minnesota reports 18 new COVID-19 deaths, 652 new cases

Minnesota health officials on Tuesday reported 652 newly confirmed coronavirus and 18 new deaths.

The new cases raised the state’s total confirmed case count to 21,960 and its death toll to 899. The deaths included 732 residents of long-term care facilities, which have been hit particularly hard.

As of Tuesday, 570 people were hospitalized with COVID-19,a drop of 35 since Monday. That total included a new one-day high of 258 patients in intensive care, an increase of 10 since Monday. The rising number of ICU patients has put a strain on some hospitals in the Twin Cities.

Another 15,523 patients have recovered to the point where they no longer need isolation.

The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher than the confirmed case count because many people have not been tested and studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

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.