By WDIO-TV- April 9, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Health is listing the first death from COVID-19 in St. Louis County as the number of cases jumps statewide.

St. Louis County officials said the person who died was a man in his early 70s.  A news release said the county is aware of additional deaths that are being investigated but have not yet been confirmed to be coronavirus-related.

"This is a very somber day for us," said Amy Westbrook, St. Louis County Public Health division director. "To a certain extent, we knew we likely would see deaths from COVID-19 here, but it is still heartbreaking to have it confirmed, and our best wishes go to the loved ones of these people.
 
"This continues to be a fluid situation," Westbrook added, "And we are all doing our best to ensure accurate information is provided to the public as we continue to address the very real needs to protect people in our community."

Five more cases were reported in St. Louis County in Thursday's report, bringing the county's total to 33.  The county said the new cases include four women ranging in age from mid 70s to mid 80s and one man in his mid 80s, and some of the cases are connected to St. Ann's Residence in Duluth.

Officials said Wednesday that there is evidence of community transmission of the virus within St. Louis County.

Across Minnesota, an additional 11 deaths brought the state's total to 50.  Regionally, there had already been fatalities reported in Iron County, Wisconsin, and Gogebic County, Michigan.

Additional non-fatal cases were also reported in Carlton and Cass counties in Minnesota on Thursday and in Iron County, Wisconsin, late Wednesday.

Iron County Public Health says the resident most recently confirmed to have COVID-19 is in isolation at home.  They are working to determine how the person became infected and reaching out to people who may have come into contact with the person.

The department issued a statement saying that there are likely unidentified positive cases in the community because not everyone is being tested and some people show no symptoms.

The total number of cases reported so far in the WDIO viewing area:

• Ashland County, WI: 1 case
• Bayfield County, WI: 3 cases
• Beltrami County, MN: 5 cases
• Carlton County, MN: 15 cases (9 at Moose Lake Correctional Facility)
• Cass County, MN: 3 cases
• Douglas County, WI: 7 cases
• Gogebic County, MI: 3 cases (1 fatal)
• Iron County, WI: 2 cases (1 fatal)
• Itasca County, MN: 2 cases
• Koochiching County, MN: 1 case
• Sawyer County, WI: 1 case
• St. Louis County, MN: 33 cases (1 fatal)

The total number of cases reported by state health officials:

• Minnesota: 1,242 cases, 50 fatalities (Wednesday totals released Thursday)
• Wisconsin: 2,756 cases, 99 fatalities (Tuesday totals released Wednesday)
• Michigan: 20,346 cases, 959 fatalities (Wednesday morning totals)