Minnesota was worst in the nation for COVID: Hospitals at capacity,resources stretched, extend grace
by Trinity Gruenberg
Minnesota was the worst in the nation last week for COVID-19 case rates according to the Centers for Disease Control. The state's seven-day case rate was at 556.5 per 100,000 people. A rate that has not been seen in nearly a year with over 70 new cases daily per 100,000 people. It soared above the high-risk line of just 10 cases per 100,000.
Minnesota was then pushed into second place behind Michigan experiencing 82 cases per 100,000.
The New York Times listed the 100 counties in the country with the highest case rates, 19 of those are in Minnesota. Wadena County came in eighth and Todd County at 39. Statewide, Wadena County came in third highest with Todd County at 12th.
This latest surge is the worst hospitals have seen since the pandemic began. More COVID and COVID suspected patients are coming into the hospitals than before.
Tri-County Health Care (Astera), Lakewood Health System and CentraCare Long Prairie all have 25 beds, and all are at capacity.
“We have seen consistent hospital admissions for the past two or so weeks, and acuity levels are higher now than they’ve been before,” shared Communications Coordinator for Lakewood Health Systems Amber Houselog.
As of November 18, Lakewood saw 23 patients admitted to the hospital with 11 of those being COVID-positive, and six in ICU...