The Minnesota Department of Health reports that 18 more residents have died of COVID-19, the deaths reported Wednesday, raised the state’s total to 319.

The Health Department also reported 463 new confirmed cases, that increases the State’s total to 4,644.

As of Wednesday, 320 patients were hospitalized with 119 in intensive care and 2,043 patients have recovered and no longer need isolation.

The number of cases in Martin County now stands at 70, with 29 active, 37 recovered and 12 have been hospitalized. Local deaths from COVID-19 remain at four.

Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties sanitarian Tim Langer recently said more cases would be identified as test results continue to come back. I can say is that not all of them are from Fairmont Foods,” he said. “With the number of people that were tested, it’s not surprising that we would have cases. They have been working with us on this and they’ve implemented guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health on screening processes and other matters’.

Martin County Sheriff Jeff Markquart delivered a video update Wednesday on the local effect of the pandemic.

“Things have changed a little bit, but we knew that was probably going to happen,” he said. “Our average age is still around 40, possibly even a little bit younger.”

LAST SATURDAY,FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
WERE DROP OFF SITES FOR HOMEMADE MASK DONATIONS..

Sheriff Markquart also noted citizens’ efforts to provide much-needed masks.

“The whole state of Minnesota ended up with about 124,000 masks,” he said. “Martin County ended up with about 650, so great job and thank you all for bringing those in. Those are going out to nursing homes and places like that where they need them.

One new case was reported in Faribault County.

IN FARIBAULT COUNTY,ALL OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATED AND
A TOTAL OF 1,120 MASKS WERE DONATED..

MANY OF THE MASKS WILL BE DONATED TO EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS
OF LONG TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES ,IN ORDER TO SLOW
THE SPEAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS,IN ADDITION THEY WILL ALSO BE MADE
AVAILABLE TO A VARIETY OF HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND
ASSISTANCE WITH THE COLLECTION PROCESS AND A BIG THANK YOU TO
EVERYONE WHO DONATED , YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR
COUNTY HEALTHY IS GREATLY APPRECIATED..