Minnesota reported zero new COVID-19 deaths Monday for the first time in nearly a year.
COVID-19 deaths reached a high November 27 when the state reported a record 101 new deaths. The last time the Minnesota Department of Health reported zero COVID-19 deaths in its daily situation update was April 13.
The news comes as slightly more than 25% of Minnesotans have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 79% of seniors.
The state reported 1,152 new cases Monday. Overall, Minnesota has had 6,728 COVID-19 deaths, 506,376 cases, and 26,661 hospitalizations. Deaths from long-term care facilities account for about 63% of all deaths in the state, a number Republicans have attributed to Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to send hospitalized COVID-19 patients back into nursing homes.
“Think about the decisions related to nursing homes. He put COVID-infected patients back into nursing homes, like New York and others,” Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, said last week.
“We had some of the highest death rates in nursing homes as a result of that,” he added.
Gov. Walz announced a significant “dial turn” earlier this month after facing renewed pressure to open up bars and restaurants and allow fans at sporting events and concerts.