3K COVID-19 cases reported in Minnesota, highest level since April. See a map of where transmission is high. – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

Minnesota recorded more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases Tuesday from over 57,000 tests, the most cases and test results reported in a single day since April.

The Minnesota Department of Health no longer reports coronavirus numbers on weekends so Tuesdays statistics are actually from more than one day from Saturday through 4 a.m. Monday. Nevertheless, the 3,054 cases reported Tuesday was an increase of 45 percent over a week ago using the same reporting structure.

The more contagious delta variant is the cause of nearly all new infections in Minnesota. More than 99 percent of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths are residents who are not fully vaccinated.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says community transmission of the coronavirus is widespread enough that masks are recommended in 80 of the states 87 counties. Seven are in the moderate transmission category and there are none where spread is considered low.

Meanwhile, the test-positivity rate in the state has again exceeded the 5 percent caution threshold.

Masks are important, but health officials maintain that vaccination is the best way to avoid contracting and spreading the coronavirus. Breakthrough infections are rare and much less likely to be severe.

Jan Malcolm, the state health commissioner, said this years summer surge is shaping up to be worse than a year ago, before there were vaccines to protect against the coronavirus.

Even more striking, compared to last year at this time our case rates are 54 percent higher than they were, Malcolm said.

Three more COVID-19 deaths were also reported Thursday. They ranged in age from their 50s to their 70s and all resided in Hennepin County with two in private homes and one in a behavioral health facility.

There have been 7,737 COVID-19 fatalities, including 4,533 deaths in long-term care. About 88 percent of deaths have been seniors.

Hospitalizations continue to rise, with 434 patients requiring care and 115 in critical condition. Fewer than 3 percent of Twin Cities hospital beds are currently available, according to state data.

Since the pandemic began, more than 11 million samples from 4.8 million residents have been screened for the coronavirus. There have been 629,354 infections diagnosed, and of those who tested positive 612,681 have recovered enough they no longer need to be isolated.

There are an estimated 8,500 people with active cases who are recovering at home, roughly double the number just two weeks ago.

Minnesota has administered more than 6 million doses of vaccine and 3.2 million have gotten at least one dose. There are 3 million Minnesotans whove completed their vaccination series.

Vaccinations have climbed considerably in recent weeks, thanks to a combination of concern over the delta variant and a $100 reward being paid by the state to the newly vaccinated. New vaccinations of 12- to 17-year-olds since have increased by about 20,000 doses since a back-to-school vaccination push began earlier this month.

Roughly 70 percent of residents 16 and older have gotten at least one shot.

For more information about vaccines visit:VaccineConnector.mn.gov. Apply for the $100 vaccine reward at mn.gov/covid19/100.

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3K COVID-19 cases reported in Minnesota, highest level since April. See a map of where transmission is high. - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press