Lac qui Parle County still highest COVID-19 case rate in state, but all numbers have decreased in recent weeks The state Department of Health releases a 14-day COVID-19 case rate for the state's counties each Thursday. The report can be used by school districts along with other factors in deciding the type of instruction model they use. The higher the number, the greater risk of COVID-19 spreading in a community. 12:12 pm, Jan. 14, 2021 × Most area counties saw their 14-day COVID-19 case rates decrease in Thursday’s report from the Minnesota Department of Health. One county, Big Stone, saw its case rate increase, but by just two points.