Minnesota goes over 8,000 COVID cases, while La Crosse is under 50 for first time in 2 weeks

A single-day record for COVID-19 cases in Minnesota, that’s even eclipsed Wisconsin’s all-time high, while La Crosse County was under 50 cases for the first time since Nov. 2.

La Crosse added 42 cases Saturday, bringing the total to 6,226.

Statewide, Wisconsin added 5,146 cases, 181 hospitalizations and 52 more deaths. The state has averaged 59 deaths a day the past five days.

Minnesota hit a single-day high with 8,703 cases — Wisconsin’s high is 7,777 set on Friday — along with a daily record 271 hospitalizations and 35 deaths.

Saturday’s cases came from a record-high of nearly 52,000 tests. Regardless, cases have been increasing faster than testing.

The average positivity rate for those tested over the past week is now 15%. State officials consider 5% a concerning number.

Iowa added 4,666 cases, 208 hospitalizations and 13 deaths.