Coronavirus: 1,154 positive cases, 39 deaths in Minnesota; Gov. Walz gives state address (updated)

Editor’s Note: This story will be updated frequently as the story develops. Last update: 4/08/2020, 11:45 am.

As Minnesota enters its second week of a two-week stay-at-home order, the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota sits at 1154 with 39 deaths.

Last week, Governor Tim Walz unveiled a new state COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the virus in Minnesota and provides the latest available data on available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing.

State data now includes a racial breakdown of COVID-19 cases. To date, the data shows that Whites make up 73.25% of positive coronavirus cases, Blacks 7%, Asians 3%, and Native Americans 0.6%. According to the most recent Census data, Blacks make up roughly 6.8% of the population in Minnesota.

On Sunday, Gov. Tim Walz gave his State of the State address, offering Minnesotans a hopeful message to stay the course in the midst of the pandemic. “What you are doing isn’t paralysis, it’s action,” said Walz. “Staying home is the only vaccine we have right now.”

Gov. Walz is reportedly weighing the option of extending the state stay-at-home order, which is slated to end on April 10; he is expected to announce an extension of the order until the end of month.

Find Gov. Walz’ full State of the State Address below. Find more COVID-19 resources and info here.