Swift County sees 23rd, 24th deaths from COVID

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
With information also from the AP
Swift County saw its 23rd and 24th deaths from COVID-19 reported by the Minnesota Department of Health last week. One person was between the ages of 60 and 64 while the other was between the ages of 80 and 84.
The current surge in COVID-19 cases has led Swift County to recording five COVID-19 deaths in the 25 days from Nov. 8 and Dec. 3. In the 294 days from Jan. 17 and Nov. 7, it saw only one death.
The rise in deaths has followed the rise in COVID-19 cases in the county.
From February to September, the county recorded 366 cases of COVID-19, or an average of 1.5 per day. From Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, it recorded 498 cases or an average of 8.2 each day.
The five deaths the county has recorded in November and early December equals the total deaths in the other four counties that belong to Countryside Public Health combined. Chippewa County saw three deaths during the period, Yellow Medicine two, and both Lac qui Parle and Big Stone none.
With its larger population, Chippewa County has seen the most cases and the most deaths from COVID-19.
Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children 5 to 11 years old, the county is seeing a steady increase in vaccinations among this age group. Five percent (122) are now fully vaccinated with both doses of the vaccine while 15% (122) have received the first dose.
 
For more on this story, subscribe to the Monitor-News and support community journalism.