Coronavirus Monday update: 22 more deaths and 2,803 new infections

Sep. 27—Minnesota health officials recorded 22 more fatalities Monday and there were 2,803 new infections reported.

The latest deaths range in age from their 30s to their 90s with 18 residing in private homes and four in long-term care. All 22 fatalities occurred in September and the death toll is now 8,098 since the pandemic began.

The 2,803 new cases were the result of about 48,500 test for a test-positivity rate of about 5.7 percent, above the 5 percent caution threshold. Rates of new cases and patients needing hospital care continue to climb as the state's fourth wave of infections continues.

Minnesota now reports new pandemic data on business days and Monday's numbers are from the previous Friday.

There were 755 patients hospitalized including 212 in critical condition. An estimated 18,500 people with active infections are recovering at home.

Minnesota is nearing 700,000 infections diagnosed since the outbreak began in March 2020. There have been 699,966 cases, so far, and of those, 96 percent have recovered enough they no longer need to be isolated.

Health officials say the best way to avoid a severe infection is to be vaccinated. However, breakthrough infections are on rise, but are rarely severe.

Of the 3.1 million fully vaccinated Minnesotans there have been 28,047 who tested positive, 1,495 who needed hospital care and 160 who have died — all fractions of a percentage point.

Minnesota has administered 6.3 million doses of vaccine and 3.3 million residents have gotten at least one shot. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and tests visit: www.mn.gov/covid19.