New Laws Take Effect

Following the 2020 Legislative Session and subsequent special sessions of the legislature, new laws took effect on August 1. Read more about them here.

Minnesota Department of Health Briefing

This afternoon, officials with the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a press briefing with reporters to update the public on the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Department of Health

• Commissioner Malcolm reported 622 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases thus far in the state to 56,560.
• The median age for a confirmed COVID-19 case is 36-years-old.
• Currently, 320 patients are hospitalized with 153 of those in the ICU.
• There was no net increase in hospitalizations since yesterday.
• ICU bed usage went up by four since yesterday.
• A total of 15,868 COVID-19 tests were processed yesterday.
• The seven-day COVID-19 test positivity average is 5.1%.
• There were two additional deaths due to COVID-19. This brings the state’s total number of COVID-19 deaths to 1,616.

Director Kris Ehresmann, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division

• Director Ehresman announced that the federal government is encouraging individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to consider a plasma donation. More information on that can be found here.
• She also warned against COVID-19-related scams where people are receiving fake bulletins from the CDC warning about dangers of mask-wearing. Director Ehresmann also cautioned for people to be aware of scam artists who claim to be contact tracers who asked for credit card or Social Security information. The Minnesota Department of Health will not ask for such information.

Amos A. Briggs | Government Relations
LOCKRIDGE GRINDAL NAUEN P.L.L.P.
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