Unemployment claims fall to 547,000, a new pandemic low

The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, a new low since the pandemic struck and a further encouraging sign that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.

Minnesota launches COVID-19 vaccination bus clinics

Minnesota is launching a fleet of buses to hold COVID-19 vaccination clinics that will reach underserved communities statewide in order to create more equitable access to the vaccine.

Biden announces tax credits for small businesses offering paid leave for COVID-19 vaccination

Biden announced the launch of a tax credit for small businesses to provide paid leave for those getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or potentially needing to take time off to recover from side effects.

"I thought I was dying"; Ted Nugent tests positive for COVID-19 after questioning pandemic rules

A couple of weeks after asking why there haven't been lockdowns during 'Covid 1 through 18,' the Michigan-born rocker told audiences on a Facebook live stream that he had tested positive for the virus.

Multiple over-the-counter COVID-19 tests now available at stores nationwide

Multiple COVID-19 tests will be available at stores nationwide beginning this week, without the need for a prescription. They range in price from $23.99 to $119.99.

Fauci says he expects J&J vaccine to resume later this week

The United States will likely move to resume Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine this coming week, possibly with restrictions or broader warnings after reports of some very rare blood clot cases, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.

Global COVID-19 death toll passes 3 million people

The number of lives lost, as compiled by Johns Hopkins University, is bigger than Chicago (2.7 million) and equivalent to Philadelphia and Dallas combined.

Gov. Walz orders flags flown at half staff Monday to honor lives lost to COVID-19

Governor Tim Walz has directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Minnesotans test positive for COVID-19 variant after Cancun vacation

After four Minnesotans have tested positive for the P.1 COVID-19 variant first identified in Brazil following trips to Cancun, the Minnesota Department of Health is urging travelers to get tested when they return home.

50% of Minnesota adults have at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine dose

Around 50% of Minnesota adults now have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the latest state health department data shows. 

Vacant middle seats on airplanes cut COVID-19 exposure risk by up to 57%, CDC study says

Leaving middle seats open and vacant on airplanes may significantly reduce a passenger’s risk of exposure to the coronavirus, a new study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests.

CDC identifies 5,800 COVID-19 ‘breakthrough infections’ among 75 million fully vaccinated people

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has identified a comparatively small group of fully vaccinated people who have reported “breakthrough” COVID-19 infections, which should be “expected.”

FEMA’s COVID-19 funeral assistance hotline inundated with more than 1M calls on 1st day

FEMA said it was inundated with over 1 million calls from people requesting assistance with COVID-19-related funeral expenses on its first day of application processing.