Minnesota’s COVID-19’s toll continued its grim ascent this week with the Health Department on Tuesday reporting 15 more deaths, nearly 2,200 more cases and a record number of hospitalizations.

The newest numbers come a day after Gov. Tim Walz and public health experts painted an increasingly worrisome picture of a COVID-19 outbreak now driven more by people letting their guard down at family gatherings and celebrations, sporting events and informal meetups rather than at stores, restaurants and bars.

This is an MPR News morning update for Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

Our theme music is by Gary Meister.