On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that 17 people have died from COVID-19 across the state.  This was an increase of five deaths from Tuesday’s numbers.

Officials say the five latest COVID-19 deaths were all over the age of 70, including a 76-year-old in Winona County, a 92-year-old in Hennepin County and 81-year-olds in Martin and Dakota counties, respectively.  Two of them were in long-term care facilities.

Officials say the 689 confirmed cases are likely only a fraction of the actual amount of COVID-19 in Minnesota.