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Here were the week’s top five stories and a look ahead.

1. The state’s COVID-19 cases continue to surge. 

The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota climbed by 23 on 

 — the largest single-day increase on record in the state since the pandemic began — as the number of confirmed cases also saw its largest daily jump. Those increases will likely continue as testing ramps up and follow Gov. Tim Walz’s

that Minnesotans should expect more deaths and a possible fall resurgence of the disease: "I want to remind Minnesotans: The hardest days are ahead.

As of Saturday, COVID-19 had killed 121 Minnesotans.

COVID-19 in-depth 

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2. Minnesota may be ‘national leader’ in massive COVID-19 testing strategy

. Walz said a partnership between Mayo and the University of Minnesota 

 daily for COVID-19 and for evidence of coronavirus antibodies is a massive breakthrough. He said the testing will continue to help slow the spread of the virus, while helping reopen the state’s economy. Officials were unclear when the testing will begin, but here’s a look at

3. No more school this academic year and State Fair looks iffy. 

 through the end of the academic year and indicated his stay-at home may extend through May 4 as well. The governor also 

the Minnesota State Fair may be another pandemic casualty: “I think it would be very difficult to see a State Fair operating. I don’t know how you social distance in there.” The last time the State Fair was canceled was during the polio epidemic in 1946.

4. WHO says there's 'no evidence' that recovered COVID-19 patients have immunity. 

 the idea that one-time infection can lead to immunity remains unproven and is thus unreliable as a foundation for the next phase of the world's response to the pandemic. At the same time, the disease, initially thought to be a pathogen that attacked the lungs, appears to be “impacting nearly every organ system in the body’’ and may be causing strokes in younger patients, according to the 

5. Earth Day marked its 50th anniversary. 

The state Department of Natural Resources is about to wrap up on its first ‘biological census.’  The 

 is a compilation of the work of hundreds of scientists who have scoured the state for rare and common plants and animals, as well as intact ecosystems that represent the land as it once was. There is 

The week in review is published each Sunday on MPR News during the coronavirus pandemic.

Chris Graves

Author

Last week’s top headlines and a look at what you can expect in the coming week.

Glen Stubbe | Star Tribune via AP, Pool

A graph showing the number of COVID-19 positive cases to date.

David H. Montgomery | MPR News

Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News

A lab scientist works to validate rapid antibody tests of COVID-19 samples

Misha Friedman | Getty Images

Hannah Texler, plant survey supervisor at the Minnesota DNR.

Week in review: Minnesota's top stories and looking ahead

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