Minnesota blood bank donations at 10-year low, officials say
Many people are not donating because they are worried about their health during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving Minnesota’s blood bank donations are a 10-year low.
U.S. Rep Jim Hagedorn tests positive for COVID-19
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
MDH planning more COVID-19 testing options as demand surges
On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health said the agency is seeing "unprecedented" demand for COVID-19 testing and now assessing their testing network while making plans to expand testing to Minnesotans.
MSP Airport COVID-19 test site switches to appointment only due to crowds
Officials with the Minnesota Department of Health say anyone looking to get a COVID-19 test on Monday at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport must have an appointment.
FDA expands Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster for ages 12 to 15
The FDA expanded Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine booster for kids as young as 12. Final approval from the CDC is still needed.
$29,000 for an average used car? Would-be buyers are aghast
The days when just about anyone with a steady income could wander onto an auto lot and snag a reliable late-model car or buy their kid’s first vehicle for a few thousand dollars have essentially vanished. “I’ve never seen anything remotely close to this — it’s craziness.”
How will pandemic end? Despite omicron, COVID-19 will become endemic
Experts say the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually end, even if omicron is complicating the question of when. But it won’t be like flipping a switch.
Minnesota native quarantining in Togo after positive COVID-19 diagnosis
Casey McCoy and his girlfriend thought they were jetting off on the trip of a lifetime to the African country of Togo to be a part of his best friend's wedding in mid-December.
Twin Cities New Year's Eve events canceled due to cold weather, omicron variant
Whether it’s due to the cold weather or the spread of the omicron variant, some venues across the Twin Cities are canceling their New Year’s Eve plans.
COVID-19 leaves US children hospitalized in near-record numbers
During the week of Dec. 21-27, an average of 334 children with the coronavirus were admitted per day to hospitals, a 58% increase from the week before.
Virus postpones Westminster Kennel Club’s annual dog show
The Westminster Kennel Club’s annual dog show has become the latest major event to be postponed or canceled.
WHO: Global COVID cases up 11% last week, biggest increase in Americas
The WHO says the number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide increased by 11% last week, while newly reported deaths were down 4% globally.
First Avenue, Armory cancel New Year's Eve shows due to omicron
Shows set to ring in the New Year at several Minneapolis music venues have been cancelled as the spike in omicron cases bring renewed COVID-19 concerns.
Minnesota surpasses 1 million confirmed COVID-19 infections
Minnesota has now surpassed one million confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, the latest data from the state health department shows.
CDC shortens COVID-19 quarantine recommendation to 5 days
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.
Omicron keeps some Minnesota worshippers at home on Christmas
The omicron COVID-19 variant put a damper on the Christmas spirit this weekend, with smaller mass sizes at some churches. Home to one of the largest Catholic congregations in Minnesota, the Basilica of St. Mary spread its worshippers out across eight services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
South Africa to stop most contact tracing as 80% of population gain some immunity
COVID-19 safety measures like contact tracing and quarantining are, for the most part, coming to an end in South Africa.
COVID-19 treatment pill: When will it be available, and where will it be available?
Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment pill Paxlovid will be shipped to states in early January but will be limited in availability at first.
Merck COVID-19 pill: FDA approves 2nd at-home treatment
Merck’s COVID-19 pill has been authorized by the FDA, providing another easy-to-use medication to fight the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.