Malcolm decries ‘alarming spike’ in Minnesota COVID-19 cases

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says COVID-19 hospitalizations have reached their highest level of the year.

And she says hospital capacity continues to tighten across the state amid a “truly alarming spike in cases.”

The Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday reported 5,277 new cases and 43 new deaths.

As of Wednesday, Minnesota hospitals were caring for 1,159 COVID-19 patients, including 257 in intensive care.

Malcolm says dozens of Minnesotans are dying every day from an illness that they didn’t have to get.

She urges Minnesotans to use prevention tools including vaccinations, masking in public and staying home when sick.