The number of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota has jumped to 54, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
That’s up from 35 announced by state health officials Sunday including the first instances of community transmission. So far 9 of the 19 new cases have been interviewed and they are travel-based.
MDH epidemiologist Kris Ehresmann says health officials and the governor are discussing the possibility of closing nonessential businesses like bars and restaurants like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Ohio have done.
“People should assume that Covered 19 is circulating in their communities and they should be taking the precautions that we are outlining,” she said.
The CDC is urging people to cancel gatherings of 50 or more people and to practice social distancing in smaller settings.
A total of nearly 1,900 people have been tested so far but officials are prioritizing testing due to the limited availability.
Hennepin County has the highest total of cases, but Blue Earth and Benton Counties in rural Minnesota reported its first cases.
Over the weekend, Governor Walz announced schools will be closed from Wednesday through March 27.





