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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - Minnesota's COVID-19 pandemic emergency has been extended another 30 days.

The State Executive Council voted unanimously today to approve the request by Governor Tim Walz to extend his emergency authority for responding to the ongoing pandemic. State lawmakers, meeting in regular session, have the option of voting to cancel the emergency but that is considered unlikely.

The Minnesota Department of Health today reported another 50 coronavirus related deaths throughout the state as Minnesota's overall death toll associated with the pandemic approaches 6000. Seven of the deaths reported today involved residents of southeastern Minnesota, including an Olmsted County resident in the early 90s. Four deaths were reported in Goodhue County and the latest count also included the deaths of elderly residents of Fillmore and Winona Counties.

Just over 1500 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Minnesota today, including another 88 new infections in Olmsted County. The testing total was around 18,600 for Tuesday and the daily testing positivity rate was about 8 percent.

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