Minnesota is reporting 66 more deaths due to COVID-19 and more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases, the state Health Department announced Wednesday.

Residents of long-term care and assisted-living facilities accounted for 43 of the newly announced deaths, and 3,394 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Since the virus started infecting Minnesotans in March, the state has reported 413,107 positive cases, 21,748 hospitalizations and 5,262 deaths.

The state's one-day count of 2,019 new cases came on a volume of 25,729newly completed tests.

Numbers released Wednesday show health care workers have accounted for 31,968 positive cases. More than 395,679 people who were infected no longer need to be isolated.

At least 38,000 Minnesotans have received a COVID-19 vaccine since the shots arrived two weeks ago.

About 175,000 doses have been delivered in the state and are in the hands of hospitals, pharmacies and local public health agencies. Another 76,000 doses are expected to arrive by Thursday, bringing the state's 2020 allocation to nearly 251,000.

COVID-19 a respiratory ailment that poses the greatest risk of serious illness in those 65 and older, residents of long-term care facilities and people with underlying medical conditions.

The disease is caused by a coronavirus that surfaced late last year. Health problems that boost COVID-19 risks range from lung disease and serious heart conditions to obesity and diabetes.

Most patients with COVID-19 don't need to be hospitalized. Most illnesses involve mild or moderate symptoms; many cases are asymptomatic.

Data released Wednesday morning was current as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Janet Moore • 612-673-7752 @ByJanetMoore