In May Rice County had one of the highest positive rates in the nation and for most of the summer was in the top 10 in Minnesota.  That is no longer the case according to the latest weekly COVID-19 report released by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Every Thursday the MDH provides a weekly look at all the COVID-19 statistics in the state.  The latest positivity rate ( positive cases of tests administered) in Rice County is 4.3% according to last Thursday's report (8/27/2020).  The statewide percentage is 5.5%.

The top ten are:

  • Nobles 28.4
  • Watonwan 11.8%
  • Todd   9.3%
  • Murray 8.8% and Stearns 8.8%
  • Lyon 8.5%
  • Cottonwood 8.1%
  • Hennepin 7.7%
  • Ramsey   7.4%
  • Pipestone 7.0%

According to the MDH data, 28,766 tests had been administered in Rice County with 1,159 positives and 1,072 cases no longer needing isolation.

The cases per 10,000 people or cumulative case rate is 176 and places Rice County 10th in Minnesota.  The statewide rate is 131.  Nobles County tops the state with a 846 cumulative case rate.  Watonwan County is second at 381.  Mower County third 294.  Stearns fourth 204, Pipestone rounds out top five at 195.

Rice County continues to rank second in the state in laboratory test rate with a 4,374 cumulative rate of laboratory tests by county of residence per 10,000 people.  Mower County tops the list  with a 4,729.  The state rate is 2,346.  Olmsted County is third 3,620.  Waseca County fourth 3,296 and Kandiyohi fifth 3,325.

The Faribault region is well represented with Steele eighth (3,105) and Dodge ninth  (3,076) in laboratory test rates by county of residence per 10,000 people.

With approximately 40% of people with COVID-19 having no symptoms but still able to spread the virus it seems to make sense we would want to have every person tested.

The Governor has repeatedly stated a desire to administer more tests per day.

29 Minnesota counties have still not recorded a death from COVID-19.  15 have one death, 8 two deaths, 7 three deaths and 6 four deaths.  65 Minnesota counties have had 4 or fewer total deaths reported.  There have been a total of 1,806 deaths since March when the first cases were reported in our state.

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