ICU beds near capacity

Minnesota hospitals are under pressure and ICU beds are nearing full capacity as coronavirus cases reach a new high and hospitalizations continue to surge. The state Department of Health said 887 patients were hospitalized with COVID19, including 219 in intensive care. Officials said ICU bed use at 98% capacity in the Twin Cities area and 92% statewide. The vast majority of ICU beds are occupied by patients with ailments unrelated to COVID19, but the rise in hospitalizations is straining capacity. Minnesota reported a record 3,844 new virus cases Wednesday and 31 deaths. The state has 160,923 cases and 2,530 confirmed deaths since the start of the pandemic.