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.

Minnesota Untold: After the Plague

At Minneapolis’ Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, the oldest in the city, about two dozen graves mark a dark chapter in Minnesota history, the Spanish Flu of 1918.

COVID-19 at-home test kit purchases capped at CVS, other stores

Customers seeking at-home COVID-19 test kits from CVS stores will be limited to no more than six, according to a company spokesperson.

MDH: Omicron now believed to be dominant COVID strain in Minnesota

The omicron variant is now estimated to be the dominant COVID-19 strain in Minnesota, state health officials said Wednesday. 

McDonald’s rolls out exercise bikes for dine-in customers in China

Two restaurants in China are testing out a new experience where customers can dine, exercise and charge their electronic devices all at once.

Pfizer COVID-19 pill approved in US as 1st home treatment

Pfizer’s pill, called Paxlovid, is the first COVID-19 treatment that Americans can pick up at a pharmacy and take at home.

At-home COVID tests are hard to come by

The Walgreens pharmacy was sold out of at-home COVID tests. The shelves were empty and a sign at the pharmacy window said they were out of stock. Shoppers faced the same shortage at the CVS pharmacy nearby where the shelf was bare.

Shoreview woman who defied odds after lung transplant hoping for another miracle

In January, Kim Shobe will mark 30 years since having her right lung replaced. She's the Mayo Clinic's longest-living lung transplant patient and now she's praying for a second miracle: a new kidney.

San Jose mayor pushes for mandatory booster; could be 1st in California

In what could be an unprecedented move in California, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said he wants to make all city employees and visitors who enter city-owned facilities, to have a booster shot or third round of vaccinations. There will surely be pushback to the plan.

CDC data: Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in US

Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. Federal health officials said Monday that omicron accounted for an estimated 73% of new infections last week.

Suicide hotline transitioning to 3-digit number: 988

People in crisis and those trying to help them will have a new three-digit phone number, 988, to reach the national suicide prevention network starting in July.

Biogen halves price of Alzheimer's drug after criticism

The drugmaker said Monday that it will cut the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug by about 50% next month. That means the annual cost for a person of average weight will amount to $28,200.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren tests positive for COVID-19

The Massachusetts Democrat announced Sunday that she has contracted a breakthrough COVID-19 infection.

Omicron variant may hinder 2 leading drugs against COVID-19

The rapidly-spreading omicron variant may soon leave U.S. doctors without two of the standard treatments they’ve used to fight COVID-19.

Omicron variant detected in 89 countries; WHO says cases rapidly doubling

WHO said on Saturday that omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the delta variant means it's likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant variant.

Court allows Biden's COVID-19 employer vaccine mandate to take effect

A federal appeals court panel has ruled that President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for larger private employers can take effect.