WORTHINGTON (KMHL) – Numbers of COVID-19 continue to rise in southwest Minnesota.

According to numbers from the Minnesota Department of Health, there are 196 confirmed cases of the virus in Nobles County.

It is by far the largest hotspot in the region. Health officials say there are six confirmed cases in Lyon County, 4 in Murray County, 3 in Yellow Medicine and Renville Counties, 2 in Lincoln County and one in Redwood County and Lac Qui Parle Counties.

State health officials reported 21 COVID 19 deaths yesterday.