Rising virus cases in Minnesota fuel an uptick in hospitalizations - Minneapolis Star Tribune

For five of the past six days, the number of COVID-19 patients has topped 100, with 116 getting care on Tuesday.

Although Minnesota is still far below the most recent peak of 699 patients reached in mid-April, the rapid spread of the COVID-19 delta variant has hospital officials anticipating care for more, mostly unvaccinated, patients.

The highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus has become the dominant strain in Minnesota, accounting for 75% of new infections.

With 47% of state residents not fully vaccinated, public health officials are concerned that the variant could fuel another surge in cases.

Minnesota health care systems say that most COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.

M Health Fairview says that almost all of its COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated.

Minnesota health officials announced 340 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, bringing the state's pandemic total to 609,016.

As of Wednesday, 108 were hospitalized for COVID-19, with the number of patients in intensive care increasing slightly, with 27 in the ICU.

State health officials announced four more COVID-19 related deaths, including three who lived in long-term care facilities.