Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and health officials are giving a COVID-19 update Friday. They are expected to highlight the ways the state is working to protect residents in long-term care facilities, a demographic that has been hit hardest by the pandemic.
CBS Minnesota reports 2,559 residents in such facilities have died since the outbreak began in March, and about 30% of people in the state who are living in long-term care facilities such has nursing homes have contracted the virus.
How to watch Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s COVID-19 update
- What: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gives an update on COVID-19, including the state’s effort to slow the spread in long-term care facilities
- Date: Friday, December 4, 2020
- Time: 2 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET)
- Online stream: Live on CBSN Minnesota in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device
Minnesota health officials on Friday reported 5,371 new cases of COVID-19 and 61 more deaths. The state’s total death toll stands at 3,845.
As of Thursday, 1,679 people were battling COVID-19 in Minnesota hospitals, with 367 people in intensive care. Per the state’s Response Capacity Dashboard, more than 100 ICU beds are available in the state. In the Twin Cities specifically, just over 5% of ICU beds are open. However, non-ICU beds in the metro are nearly full, with just over 2% still available.
The rates at which the virus is spreading and Minnesotans are being hospitalized have fallen over the last two weeks. Minnesota’s test positivity rate has also declined about 5% from a high of 15.6% in early November.
Note: Streaming plans are subject to change
