Minnesota reported its lowest daily COVID-19 case count in 10 days Friday, with 556 new infections and four additional deaths.
The state had been averaging about 700 cases each day, reflecting a general increase that began in mid-June.
There are now 59,185 confirmed infections since the pandemic began in the state, with 1,640 deaths. One death was of a resident of a long-term care facility, while another was a group home resident. The other two lived in private homes.
Nearly 16,000 test results were reported to the state, an increase of 959 from the previous day.
Since July 4, more than 30% of confirmed cases have been attributed to general community spread, where the source of the infection can't be identified.
It is one of the factors that state health officials monitor to track the pandemic. Without an understanding of how one-third of all cases were passed on, it makes it difficult for them to target public health messages aimed at preventing new infections.
For the past several weeks, the Minnesota Department of Health has urged residents to wear masks, social distance and avoid large gatherings. The concern is that unchecked community spread will eventually seep into settings where medically vulnerable people congregate, such as long-term care facilities.
It can also pass from people who are less likely to become seriously ill, such as younger adults, to those with underlying health conditions, including heart, lung and kidney disease. That in turn could lead to more hospitalizations.
