Minnesota Department of Health officials said on Tuesday, referencing the latest data on COVID-19, that 45 counties in the state are now either at a "substantial" or "high" spread of the virus.
That is 31 more than the previous week, when only 14 states faced the same situation.
Counties in the "high spread" category as of Tuesday include: Dodge, Lake, Meeker, Travis and Wilkin.
MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm also noted that in the past week, total cases across the United States jumped 42%, and COVID-related hospital admissions increased by 47%. She also noted that, in the state of Minnesota, half of all cases identified in July were reported within the past two weeks alone.
The commissioner reiterated that getting a vaccine is the best line of defense and protection against the virus.