Live updates: COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota trending downward – KARE11.com

The latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported 362 new cases of COVID-19 and 17 additional deaths across the state on Friday.

That brings the statewide totals to 32,031 cases and 1,361 deaths. Of those deaths, 1,077 happened in long-term care or assisted living.

The 362 new cases reported Friday are down from 387 cases reported Thursday.

Hospitalizations are slowly trending downward with 339 patients hospitalized as of Thursday and 168 of them in the ICU.

MDH reported that 14,216 tests were completed Thursday.

People ages 30-39 have the highest number of cases in the state with6,483 and 10 deaths.

People ages 80-89 have the highest number of deaths with 465 out of1,480 cases.

As he will do for the 19th of every month in 2020, Gov. Tim Walz instructed all flags across state and federal buildings to be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset in memory of those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of Minnesotans have lost dear friends and close family members in the fight against COVID-19. Each life taken has been a heartbreaking tragedy for our state. In these challenging times, we must work together to slow the spread of this pandemic," the governor said in a Thursday statement.

Businesses, individuals and other organizations across the state are also encouraged to do the same, in a show of support not only for those lost, but also the loved ones they've left behind.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued new guidance Thursday for long-term care (LTC) facilities looking for safe ways to allow friends and family members to visit residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

For outdoor visits, MDH makes the following recommendations for long-term care residents:

MDH also lists recommended visitor criteria for outdoor visits at a long-term care facility:

The Minnesota Department of Education released a 100-page guide for public schools to prepare for three potential schooling scenarios in the upcoming academic year.

A final decision for the schooling scenario that will be used is expected to be made July 27.

The three scenarios outlined in the guide are: in-person learning, hybrid learning and distance only learning.

MDE said in their guidance that it is possible that all three scenarios could be used in the 2020-21 school year.

KARE 11s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit kare11.com/coronavirus for comprehensive coverage, find outwhat you need to know about the Midwest specifically, learn more about thesymptoms, and see what businesses are open as the state slowly lifts restrictions. Have a question? Text it to us at 763-797-7215. And get the latest coronavirus updates sent right to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to the KARE 11 Sunrise newsletter here. Help local families in need: http://www.kare11.com/give11.

The state of Minnesota has set up a hotline for general questions about coronavirus at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is also a data portal online at mn.gov/covid19.

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Live updates: COVID-19 hospitalizations in Minnesota trending downward - KARE11.com