Correction

In Wednesday’s edition of the Sentinel is was erroneously reported that James Forshee won the empty District 2 seat for the Martin County Commission with 643 votes, while runner up Jaime Bleess had 620 votes. Forshee did not win the race, as it was only a primary race.

Twin Cities ICU feels pressure

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota hospitals are beginning to feel pressure as COVID-19 cases reached another record high and hospitalizations continue to surge.

As of Wednesday morning, a record 908 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, including 203 patients in intensive care due to breathing problems or other complications, the Department of Health reported.

“We’re at a red alert for ICU beds,” Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, told the Star Tribune. “It’s bad.”

The vast majority of ICU beds are occupied by patients recovering from ailments unrelated to COVID-19, but the continued rise in hospitalizations is beginning to put a strain on capacity.

Minnesota health officials reported 3,844 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday — breaking a record set just a day earlier. It’s the fourth time daily cases climbed over 3,000 in the past week after reaching that figure for the first time last Thursday.

The state also reported 31 deaths Wednesday.

Minnesota has now had 160,923 cases and 2,530 deaths since the pandemic began.

14 arrested at protest

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Fourteen people were arrested Tuesday night after a few dozen protesters demonstrated against police brutality in Minneapolis, according to police.

Protesters blocked intersections in the Uptown neighborhood, spray-painted store fronts, shot off firecrackers and threw traffic signs and debris into the streets, according to police spokesman John Elder. Some held a banner that read “America is over.”

Fires were seen that appear to have been set by this group, a news release said.

As officers approached, some demonstrators shot fireworks at officers and refused to obey their commands, police said.

The 14 were arrested on probable cause rioting or fourth-degree assault about 10 p.m. They were booked into the Hennepin County Jail.