The Rice County Department of Public Health reported as of Friday 93.6% of the COVID-19 positives had Faribault addresses. Just 5.4% had Northfield addresses and there were two others reported.  Their addresses were not given.

In Rice County those testing positive ranged in age from 5 months to 89 years.  The median age 35.3.  115 men, 106 women.  Just 9 of the 221 people required hospitalization and 3 had serious enough cases to require intensive care.

Those hospitalized ranged in age from 31 to 80.  Those in ICU from 59 to 72.

A specific breakdown for Rice County was not given for Saturday although the Minnesota Department of Health website reported an additional 19 cases in the County bringing the total number of positives to 240.  There have been 2 deaths.

When Rice County Public Health Department Director Deb Purfeerst was on our KDHL AM Minnesota program May 8th she speculated the reason for the disparity in positives was due to more people being tested in Faribault.

Testing is available by appointment in Faribault, Northfield and Owatonna.  You must have symptoms.  Contact your physician and ask if you should be tested.

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm has stated more than once testing a healthy person does nothing.

The state update released Sunday reported 22 more deaths statewide on Saturday for a total of 722 with 587 of those people residing in long term care facilities.  12 of the deaths were Hennepin (8) and Ramsey County residents (4).

There were 5 more deaths reported in Dakota County bringing their total to 18.  76 more positive tests were reported for a total of 742 since January 20, 2020.

Steele County crossed the 100 positives mark Friday and added 5 more Saturday for a total of 105. The Steele County Public Health website does not have the breakdown of numbers that Rice County shows.

Goodhue County had 29 cases reported Friday (so through Thursday numbers) with 3 of those people requiring hospitalization and 1 in intensive care.  No deaths have been reported in Goodhue or Steele Counties.  Goodhue added 3 positives Friday and 1 more Saturday for a total of 33 to date.

Numbers released are through the previous day.

The Faribault West Mall joins other malls across the state in opening. The signage states people can, "Enter at your own risk!"

Many in the Twin Cities and the River Hills Mall in Mankato say they are opening Monday, May 18.  My guess is similar signs will be seen there in an effort to limit their liability should someone be infected by the virus.

A true sign of the times.

Faribault West Mall Sign. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Faribault West Mall Sign. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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