2 additional cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed two more cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, bringing the total number of cases to five.

According to health officials, two new patients have tested positive for the coronavirus disease, one in Olmsted County and another in Ramsey County. MDH said international travel was involved in both cases.

The Olmsted County patient is in their 50s. Health officials said the patient first saw symptoms on March 5 before being tested on March 9. In that time, the patient did have contact with co-workers, and MDH is working with the patient’s employer.

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The Ramsey County patient is in their 30s and has no underlying health conditions, according to MDH. The department said the patient became symptomatic on March 6 and was tested on March 10, but was mostly isolated.

The previous three cases were reported in Ramsey, Carver and Anoka counties. The Anoka County patient remained in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

All cases thus far are presumptive cases, meaning they haven’t yet been certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but are being considered actionable by MDH based on its test results.

The CDC also announced over $560 million in funding to state and local jurisdictions to support the COVID-19 response, including over $10 million to Minnesota. You can see the full breakdown here.