Officials: Alternative health care facilities needed to prevent Minnesota ICUs from 'being overrun'

Minnesota does not have many intensive care unit beds available, so state officials are working to create alternative health care facilities to prevent ICUs from being overrun with COVID-19 patients as the virus continues to spread in the state. 

Minnesota family physicians urge Gov. Walz to issue 'shelter in place' order

Family physicians in Minnesota are urging Gov. Tim Walz to issue a “shelter in place” order for the state to combat the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. 

Health officials report loss of smell, gastrointestinal issues as additional COVID-19 symptoms

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise across Minnesota, health officials say there may be new symptoms associated with the virus, such as a loss of smell and gastrointestinal issues.

Walz orders organizations to inventory personal protective equipment

Governor Tim Walz is looking to address the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals amid the novel coronavirus pandemic by ordering organizations to complete an inventory of all PPE and prepare to donate their items.

HealthPartners employees petition for more protective equipment, better leave and hazard pay

HealthPartners employees are calling on the healthcare company to give them more protective equipment, expand their paid leave and provide them hazard pay during the COVID-19 crisis. 

How you can help Minnesota nurses and first responders

As supply becomes short, health care leaders are searching for protective equipment donations, like masks, from members of the public.

Minnesota woman sews face masks to give to health care workers

The call for masks and personal protection is heard across the country as shortages impact medical workers. Among those stepping up to help is a Minnesota woman who says it’s the least she can do amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

MNsure to hold special enrollment period starting Monday

In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, there will be a special 30-day enrollment period for MNsure, allowing those who are uninsured to enroll for health insurance coverage.

Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul to be specialty COVID-19 facility

M Health Fairview is transforming St. Paul’s Bethesda Hospital into a COVID-19 specialty care facility due to an anticipated increase in patients.

Twin Cities COVID-19 models worry hospitals

Computer modeling is offering best and worst case scenarios for the Twin Cities when it comes to COVID-19 and its impact on the regional health care system. 

U of M medical students offer free childcare to health care workers on front lines of coronavirus

University of Minnesota medical students are stepping up to help after nurses, doctors and hospital workers all over the state realized they didn’t have anyone to care for their children after the Governor closed schools earlier this week.

Hennepin Healthcare staff member tests positive for COVID-19

A staff member at Hennepin Healthcare is among the 60 postive cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, the company confirmed Tuesday. 

'We are not prepared': Experts say Minnesota needs more specialists, caregivers to handle increase in Alzheimer's cases

The number of older Minnesotans developing Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rapidly grow in the next five years according to new estimates from the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota.

How to spot the difference between the flu and coronavirus

Minnesota health officials are still investigating the state’s third coronavirus case, this time in Anoka County. As the monitoring continues, many are wondering, what are the ways to spot coronavirus?

Handwashing experiment: How well are you washing your hands?

Are you washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds? We did an experiment to find out how well we are, or aren’t, washing our hands. 

SEIU, HealthPartners reach tentative agreement, avoid strike

A tentative agreement between the SEIU and HealthPartners has been reach, avoiding a strike that was set to begin Wednesdays morning.