St. Paul Reporter

There is an uptick in COVID-19 cases within long-term care facilities, Minnesota health officials said.

Cases spiked in July, according to the Star Tribune. Reported cases have almost tripled as of Aug. 8 and 172 new cases were reported at the beginning of August.

Sen. Karin Housley said that Gov. Tim Walz's victory dance regarding long-term care was premature as reports of an uptick in cases dominate the news cycle.

“Just weeks after Gov. Walz declared victory in long-term care facilities, cases are skyrocketing," Housley said in a press release. "Other states have managed to get cases under control successfully, but our numbers are tripling. This administration has delayed the implementation of firm guidelines, increased testing capacity and additional PPE for our facilities and has unnecessarily put our seniors in harm’s way. Gov. Walz is responsible for utilizing his emergency powers to protect the most vulnerable Minnesotans. He has to step up and be forward-thinking and innovative to eradicate COVID-19 in our facilities. This isn’t over yet, and we shouldn’t act as though it is.”