St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - Last week was the deadliest week yet for the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota and pushed the state’s death toll from the new illness above 1000.

The State Health Department today reported another 30 coronavirus-related deaths which pushed the total since the start of the pandemic to 1026. The total number of deaths reported over the past week was 174, which was over 20 above the total from the previous week and was 11 above the previous weekly high mark of 163 recorded during the 7 day period that ended on May 9th.

The Department of Health today also reported a new high mark for ICU bed usage by coronavirus patients at 263. Overall, 589 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 infections and the total number of people who have been hospitalized due to coronavirus statewide has risen above 3000.

Minnesota health officials say over 8,600 tests for COVID-19 were completed Friday and detected 660 new cases of the viral illness. 14 of the new cases were found in Olmsted County, which has now seen over 600 confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection. Statewide, the total is now over 24,000 and the testing total is closing on a quarter million.

The number of people listed as recovered and no longer requiring isolation now exceeds 17,800.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

More From Sasquatch 107.7 - The Rock of Rochester