Minnesota Reports 101 COVID-19 Deaths, Highest-Ever Daily Tally, Bringing Cumulative Total To 3,746

From the Minnesota Reformer:

By Ricardo Lopez

November 27, 2020

Minnesota reported its highest ever daily COVID-19 death count on Friday — 101 — pushing the state to nearly 3,500 deaths recorded since the virus first arrived in the state nine months ago.

“This is a sad development, but it is not a surprising development,” Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said in a statement. “For weeks we have been sounding the alarm about the dramatic growth in COVID-19 cases. We know that more cases leads to more hospitalizations and deaths, and today’s news reinforces that tragic pattern.”

A total of 3,476 Minnesotans have now died from the disease; the 101 deaths reported on Friday surpasses the previous daily death record of 76.

Gov. Tim Walz issued a statement noting that more than 3,000 families celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with fewer people at their table.

“As we hit this somber milestone, we owe those families a promise,” Walz said. “We must promise them that their loved ones did not die in vain. We must honor them by fighting this virus at every turn. We must redouble our efforts to protect one another.”

As a result of the surge in COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, Walz recently shuttered indoor dining, gyms and indoor entertainment places for four weeks, until at least Dec. 18.

Minnesota also reported 5,533 new COVID-19 infections on Friday. State health officials feared the holiday would lead to even more infections as Minnesotans nonetheless disregarded public health recommendations against large gatherings indoors.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..