More from the HomepageState health officials say evidence is mounting that masks make a difference in slowing COVID-19 spread. ByandStar Tribune staff writersmoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is being urged to require residents of the state to wear masks when out in public, as COVID-19 cases hit record highs nationally and health officials worry infections may regain dangerous momentum here.Governors in states with rising COVID-19 numbers, including , and Pennsylvania, have mandated mask use statewide in recent weeks, saying it’s a simple and effective step to slow the spread...…More from the HomepageState health officials say evidence is mounting that masks make a difference in slowing COVID-19 spread. ByandStar Tribune staff writersmoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is being urged to require residents of the state to wear masks when out in public, as COVID-19 cases hit record highs nationally and health officials worry infections may regain dangerous momentum here.Governors in states with rising COVID-19 numbers, including , and Pennsylvania, have mandated mask use statewide in recent weeks, saying it’s a simple and effective step to slow the spread...WW…

More from the HomepageAt least 68 cases linked to participants in school and youth sports activities. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Health officials are recommending changes for youth sports across Minnesota after identifying COVID-19 case clusters in Carver County that involve a more contagious form of the pandemic virus.Since late January, at least 68 coronavirus cases have been connected to participants in school-sponsored and club sports, the Minnesota Department of Health announced Friday.Whole genome sequencing has confirmed that 24 of the cases were caused by the variant...…More from the HomepageAt least 68 cases linked to participants in school and youth sports activities. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Health officials are recommending changes for youth sports across Minnesota after identifying COVID-19 case clusters in Carver County that involve a more contagious form of the pandemic virus.Since late January, at least 68 coronavirus cases have been connected to participants in school-sponsored and club sports, the Minnesota Department of Health announced Friday.Whole genome sequencing has confirmed that 24 of the cases were caused by the variant...WW…

More from the HomepageStrain detected in specimens from five residents in Twin Cities metro area. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota reported Saturday its first cases of a new variant of the pandemic coronavirus, a strain that has stoked worldwide concern for apparently spreading more quickly than others.First detected last year in the United Kingdom, the variant was identified in specimens from five residents of four Twin Cities metro area counties, according to an announcement by the Minnesota Department of Health.The variant strain is not thought to be more virulent than...…More from the HomepageStrain detected in specimens from five residents in Twin Cities metro area. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota reported Saturday its first cases of a new variant of the pandemic coronavirus, a strain that has stoked worldwide concern for apparently spreading more quickly than others.First detected last year in the United Kingdom, the variant was identified in specimens from five residents of four Twin Cities metro area counties, according to an announcement by the Minnesota Department of Health.The variant strain is not thought to be more virulent than...WW…

More from the HomepageNew analysis shows a wide gap in death rates. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:A new analysis shows a wider gap in Minnesota between the rates at which white residents and those in racial and ethnic minority groups have suffered from COVID-19.For more than a month, state data have shown that black, Asian and Hispanic residents run disproportionate risks related to COVID-19. Numbers released last week by the Minnesota Department of Health better illustrate the problem, state officials say, by adjusting for the age of those who have gotten sick.The new analysis...…More from the HomepageNew analysis shows a wide gap in death rates. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:A new analysis shows a wider gap in Minnesota between the rates at which white residents and those in racial and ethnic minority groups have suffered from COVID-19.For more than a month, state data have shown that black, Asian and Hispanic residents run disproportionate risks related to COVID-19. Numbers released last week by the Minnesota Department of Health better illustrate the problem, state officials say, by adjusting for the age of those who have gotten sick.The new analysis...WW…

More from the HomepageThe number of confirmed cases statewide stands at 27,501. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Twenty-two more people have died of COVID-19 in Minnesota, health officials reported Saturday, including a Ramsey County resident age 20 to 29 — the youngest pandemic victim thus far in the state.COVID-19 has caused a total of 1,170 deaths across the state, according to data posted Saturday morning by the Minnesota Department of Health. Residents of long-term care accounted for 14 of the 22 newly announced deaths.Most deaths in Minnesota, including 16 of those announced...…More from the HomepageThe number of confirmed cases statewide stands at 27,501. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Twenty-two more people have died of COVID-19 in Minnesota, health officials reported Saturday, including a Ramsey County resident age 20 to 29 — the youngest pandemic victim thus far in the state.COVID-19 has caused a total of 1,170 deaths across the state, according to data posted Saturday morning by the Minnesota Department of Health. Residents of long-term care accounted for 14 of the 22 newly announced deaths.Most deaths in Minnesota, including 16 of those announced...WW…

More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Even as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota continues to soar, the push to dramatically expand testing is coming up short because not enough people with symptoms are seeking tests.The puzzling twist comes as the state Saturday recorded its fourth consecutive day of more than 700 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. It also reported 24 more deaths. The case count continues its steady climb even as officials admit that testing remains unable to capture the full extent of the virus' spread.In April, Gov. Tim Walz unveiled a "moon...…More from the HomepageBy Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Even as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Minnesota continues to soar, the push to dramatically expand testing is coming up short because not enough people with symptoms are seeking tests.The puzzling twist comes as the state Saturday recorded its fourth consecutive day of more than 700 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. It also reported 24 more deaths. The case count continues its steady climb even as officials admit that testing remains unable to capture the full extent of the virus' spread.In April, Gov. Tim Walz unveiled a "moon...WW…

More from the HomepageState's Catholic archbishop calls executive order "an important breakthrough," while Walz called it a difficult decision. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Places of worship in Minnesota may open at 25% occupancy starting Wednesday so long as they follow public health guidelines, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.Walz expressed reservations with the change, which comes as the coronavirus continues to spread. But it resolved a conflict with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which dropped plans to defy Walz and reopen churches Tuesday at one-third...…More from the HomepageState's Catholic archbishop calls executive order "an important breakthrough," while Walz called it a difficult decision. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Places of worship in Minnesota may open at 25% occupancy starting Wednesday so long as they follow public health guidelines, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.Walz expressed reservations with the change, which comes as the coronavirus continues to spread. But it resolved a conflict with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which dropped plans to defy Walz and reopen churches Tuesday at one-third...WW…