Positive COVID-19 cases continue to climb in Carlton County, with the Minnesota Department of Health reporting a cumulative (since March) total of 196 cases here as of Wednesday, Sept. 2, up 17 from the previous Wednesday. Over the past month, since Aug. 3, the number of cases here has risen by 71 cases.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to someone they think may have the disease is encouraged to seek testing.

Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, or loss of taste or smell. Other less c...