Rice County Goes Over 900 COVID-19 Cases

The Rice County Public Health Department went over the 900 total cases mark this week adding 5 more on Friday according to the state and 7 according to the county.  It was a relatively quiet week with no major spikes in cases.

Rice County continues to follow the trend of younger people becoming infected with the coronavirus.  The average age of all 910 positives in the county is 37.1 with the youngest case 2 months old and the oldest 97 years of age.

40 of the 910 people testing positive have been serious enough to require hospitalization with the average age 51.3.  Ages ranged from 2 months of 91 years.

11 people of the 40 hospitalized were placed in intensive care.  Average age 56.6.  Youngest 2 months and oldest 91 years old.

8 deaths have been reported in Rice County.  Average age of the deceased 66.

Cases by zip code in Rice County:

• Faribault    754
• Northfield   119
• Lonsdale      13
• Other            24

Living setting information states 67.5% of those infected were in a private residence.  23% residents of a group home or long term care facility. 9% prison.

Minnesota Correctional Facility Faribault statistics state as of Friday, July 17, 2020 there were 1639 inmates under case responsibility of Faribault with 1,618 on-site.

The average age of an inmate in Faribault is 39 with the youngest 19 and oldest 93 years of age.

Top offenses Faribault inmates are in prison for:

• Criminal Sexual Conduct     490
• Drugs                                   456
• Weapons                              258
• Homicide                              224

There have been two COVID-19 deaths reported in the Minnesota prison system.  Both deaths in Faribault reported June 25th and June 27th.

Visiting returns at most Minnesota Correctional Facilities beginning Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

The three Minnesota facilities not allowing visiting of prisoners will be St. Cloud, Lino Lakes and Shakopee.

According to Department of Corrections numbers 4 staff members in Faribault are currently positive for COVID-19 with another presumed positive.  5 staff have returned to work.

The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 85 percent of inmates across the state have been tested for COVID-19.