WINONA, Minn. – In the past week the state Health Department recorded 38 new coronavirus cases in Winona County — far more than the typical two or three a day. The surge propelled the county’s six-month total to 239. The death count has remained steady at 16 for two weeks. On Thursday the state health department confirmed eight new Winona County infections. The department said 44 infected persons remained in quarantine, about 19% of all the cases over six months since the infection first showed up. There have been 12 hospitalizations.

Earlier: County’s COVID-19 infections now 231