Minnesota's new COVID-19 deaths include 2 victims in 20s

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesotans in their 20s are among the 89 new deaths from COVID-19 reported by state health officials Thursday, an unusual development in a pandemic that mostly claims the lives of elderly patients.

Figures from the Minnesota Department of Health show that the young victims included someone 25 to 29 years old in Ramsey County and someone between 20 and 24 years old in Rice County. Minnesota has recorded only eight fatalities in their 20s out of a total of 4,198 of all ages since the pandemic began.

The department also reported 3,523 new coronavirus cases Thursday to raise the state's total to 367,218. Department data show that the state's seven-day moving averages of new cases and new hospitalizations have been trending downward since mid-November.

Gov. Tim Walz plans an announcement Monday about the future of the four-week “pause” he ordered last month, which is due to expire Dec. 18. He has also called a special session for Monday to pass a relief package for business workers affected by those restrictions, which included a closure of bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery, a shutdown of fitness clubs and a suspension of high school sports. Legislative leaders said Thursday they're making progress on the plan.