5 deaths, worst week yet for COVID here

Steele County has hit the worst single week yet for COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began two years ago.
Five people died over the past week, according to Amber Aaseth, interim co-director of Steele County Public Health. They include: a man in his 40s, a man in his 70s, a man in his 80s and two women in their 70s. No other details are available.
Previously, five people were reported to have died in early January, but it was over at least a two-week period during the holidays.
Despite the death toll spiking to 55 for Steele County, the overall new case count is trending downward. There were 54 new cases through Friday. The weekend numbers were not available because of Monday’s holiday. To date, there have been 10,128 cases in Steele County.
“New cases and hospitalization rates are going down,” said Aaseth, who added that 30 to 40% of people currently in the Owatonna hospital are COVID patients.
In the fight against COVID, Public Health has test kits available to residents while supplies last. Aaseth said anyone interested should call Public Health at 507-444-7650.
The weekly vaccination clinic is moving back to Public Health at 635 Florence Ave., Owatonna. People interested in getting their vaccinations can show up on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All three COVID vaccines are available.
“Vaccination continues to be the best tool in our prevention toolbox against COVID-19,” Aaseth said. “People who are vaccinated will have a less severe illness and are much less likely to be hospitalized or die than people with similar risk factors who are not vaccinated.”
Aaseth said it’s also important for people to continue to use other tools for protection, including masking, frequent handwashing, getting tested when needed and keeping physical distance from others.
“Most people who are newly diagnosed with COVID-19 or admitted to the hospital are unvaccinated,” Aaseth said.
Though new cases are decreasing, Aaseth warned people to not let their guard down yet.
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COVID-19 STEELE AT GLANCE
New cases since Feb. 14: 54
Total new cases: 10,128
Total deaths: 55
Deaths since October 2021: 36
Vaccination Rate: 63.1%
Total booster shots given: 12,639
Source: Steele County Public Health
 
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