Minn. holds steady as other states see COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations surge

While states like Florida, Texas and Arizona make headlines for soaring COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Minnesota is experiencing significant declines in deaths and ICU hospitalizations.

After peaking with 696 COVID-19 deaths in May, Minnesota saw a big decline to 402 in June. When it comes to the next most serious COVID-19 metric, ICU hospitalizations, the state also peaked with 613 ICU patients in May before a big drop to 287 in June.

Still, Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm cautions Minnesotans to not get complacent during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

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"It’s so important that we take advantage of the opportunity to be outside, be celebrating, be with family and friends, but we really want to reinforce the important message for all of us to stay vigilant about COVID-19 this holiday weekend," Malcolm said this week. "And for young adults, remember that you’re not invincible and neither are your loved ones. Cases among people as young as their 20s are growing … and if you’re visiting bars and restaurants, spread out, wear a mask. Carry hand sanitizer with you."

Minnesota is seeing a surge in testing and positive cases, but the positive rate is holding mostly steady at between 3.4% and 3.7% over the past two weeks.