More from the HomepageAnd right now, the report concluded, no one should use antibody testing to issue "immunity passports." ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:In the rush to deploy as many COVID-19 tests as possible, important nuances are being lost about which kinds of tests are not worth doing, causing waste and potential harm during the pandemic.Business managers should not be pinning hopes for reopening on antibody testing of their entire workforces, and hospitals should not be doing universal testing of asymptomatic patients, from a University of Minnesota policy center. Both...…More from the HomepageAnd right now, the report concluded, no one should use antibody testing to issue "immunity passports." ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:In the rush to deploy as many COVID-19 tests as possible, important nuances are being lost about which kinds of tests are not worth doing, causing waste and potential harm during the pandemic.Business managers should not be pinning hopes for reopening on antibody testing of their entire workforces, and hospitals should not be doing universal testing of asymptomatic patients, from a University of Minnesota policy center. Both...WW…

ByMinnesota is showing signs of progress in the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting its lowest daily counts of deaths and hospitalizations since April on Monday, at a time when more than 20 other states are reporting rising case counts.“We want to celebrate every day that those numbers are low,” said Kris Ehresmann, state infectious disease director.Loading...But Minnesota has a Wisconsin problem.While both neighbor states show declining growth in COVID-19 cases and deaths, Minnesota has reported 1,304 deaths so far in the pandemic compared with Wisconsin’s 694. And Wisconsin achieved its progress...…ByMinnesota is showing signs of progress in the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting its lowest daily counts of deaths and hospitalizations since April on Monday, at a time when more than 20 other states are reporting rising case counts.“We want to celebrate every day that those numbers are low,” said Kris Ehresmann, state infectious disease director.Loading...But Minnesota has a Wisconsin problem.While both neighbor states show declining growth in COVID-19 cases and deaths, Minnesota has reported 1,304 deaths so far in the pandemic compared with Wisconsin’s 694. And Wisconsin achieved its progress...WW…

ByBars and restaurants in Minnesota can open June 1 for outdoor service under a revised COVID-19 response strategy announced by Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday that also allows for limited reopening of hair salons and campgrounds.While COVID-19 remains a growing concern — causing 777 deaths and 17,670 lab-confirmed infections so far in Minnesota — Walz said beloved summertime activities can take place amid the pandemic, with precautions.Loading...“While the virus won’t yet allow for business as usual, let’s do what we do best after winter in Minnesota and head outside. Whether it’s a Jucy Lucy,...…ByBars and restaurants in Minnesota can open June 1 for outdoor service under a revised COVID-19 response strategy announced by Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday that also allows for limited reopening of hair salons and campgrounds.While COVID-19 remains a growing concern — causing 777 deaths and 17,670 lab-confirmed infections so far in Minnesota — Walz said beloved summertime activities can take place amid the pandemic, with precautions.Loading...“While the virus won’t yet allow for business as usual, let’s do what we do best after winter in Minnesota and head outside. Whether it’s a Jucy Lucy,...WW…

ByGov. Tim Walz announced a statewide mandate Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in stores and indoor gathering places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a second surge of hospitalizations and deaths.When the new rule takes effect Saturday, Minnesota will join roughly 30 states that have imposed similar mask-wearing requirements in the absence of any federal act and despite sharply polarized political views.Loading...“If we can get a 90 to 95% compliance, which we’ve seen the science shows, we can reduce the infection rates dramatically, which slows that...…ByGov. Tim Walz announced a statewide mandate Wednesday requiring Minnesotans to wear face masks in stores and indoor gathering places in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prevent a second surge of hospitalizations and deaths.When the new rule takes effect Saturday, Minnesota will join roughly 30 states that have imposed similar mask-wearing requirements in the absence of any federal act and despite sharply polarized political views.Loading...“If we can get a 90 to 95% compliance, which we’ve seen the science shows, we can reduce the infection rates dramatically, which slows that...WW…

ByThe COVID-19 mystery of Ben O’Donnell, a 30-something Ironman athlete, remains as baffling today as it did March 10 — when Minnesotans learned the state’s first coronavirus case needing intensive care was someone in his prime.State health investigators were perplexed, given the virus’ history of hitting the sick and elderly the hardest.Loading...Minnesotans lost hope, because being young and healthy were not surefire shields against COVID-19.“It made everything a lot more real,” said Haley Kramer, an intensive care nurse who treated O’Donnell, “because he was me, he was my husband, he was...…ByThe COVID-19 mystery of Ben O’Donnell, a 30-something Ironman athlete, remains as baffling today as it did March 10 — when Minnesotans learned the state’s first coronavirus case needing intensive care was someone in his prime.State health investigators were perplexed, given the virus’ history of hitting the sick and elderly the hardest.Loading...Minnesotans lost hope, because being young and healthy were not surefire shields against COVID-19.“It made everything a lot more real,” said Haley Kramer, an intensive care nurse who treated O’Donnell, “because he was me, he was my husband, he was...WW…

ByMass vaccination of 15,000 Twin Cities educators will begin at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul Thursday, but not all 15,000 originally prioritized for the shots will get them.Sharing of a sign-up link intended for specific teachers created the glitch, resulting in appointments being quickly filled Tuesday night by some educators who weren't prioritized, and some schools getting shut out. Lionsgate Academy was slotted for 87 shots, for example, but only one of its teachers got an appointment.Loading..."I'm very pleased with who it went to — it's a very, very well-qualified candidate for...…ByMass vaccination of 15,000 Twin Cities educators will begin at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul Thursday, but not all 15,000 originally prioritized for the shots will get them.Sharing of a sign-up link intended for specific teachers created the glitch, resulting in appointments being quickly filled Tuesday night by some educators who weren't prioritized, and some schools getting shut out. Lionsgate Academy was slotted for 87 shots, for example, but only one of its teachers got an appointment.Loading..."I'm very pleased with who it went to — it's a very, very well-qualified candidate for...WW…

ByState health officials will be encouraging people protesting the death of George Floyd to seek COVID-19 testing — regardless of whether they feel sick — due to the increased risk of the disease spreading at mass gatherings.A surge in COVID-19 cases among protesters isn’t a given — many are wearing masks, and protests are outside, which can diffuse the virus. But health officials on Monday said they are expecting that the gatherings will counteract some progress.Loading...“Concentrated gatherings and loud talking, singing, yelling, you know, all of those loud vocal expressions, exacerbate...…ByState health officials will be encouraging people protesting the death of George Floyd to seek COVID-19 testing — regardless of whether they feel sick — due to the increased risk of the disease spreading at mass gatherings.A surge in COVID-19 cases among protesters isn’t a given — many are wearing masks, and protests are outside, which can diffuse the virus. But health officials on Monday said they are expecting that the gatherings will counteract some progress.Loading...“Concentrated gatherings and loud talking, singing, yelling, you know, all of those loud vocal expressions, exacerbate...WW…

More from the HomepageInternal e-mails show state leaders concerned last fall about how to present an unpopular pause on high school and club athletics. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota's controversial pause on youth sports last fall received new attention Monday as lawmakers and sports advocates accused Gov. Tim Walz and state health leaders of overselling the danger of athletes spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable people such as long-term care residents.The Let Them Play MN group that opposed many sports-related pandemic restrictions obtained thousands of pages of internal...…More from the HomepageInternal e-mails show state leaders concerned last fall about how to present an unpopular pause on high school and club athletics. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota's controversial pause on youth sports last fall received new attention Monday as lawmakers and sports advocates accused Gov. Tim Walz and state health leaders of overselling the danger of athletes spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable people such as long-term care residents.The Let Them Play MN group that opposed many sports-related pandemic restrictions obtained thousands of pages of internal...WW…

More from the HomepageVaccination progress continues — with 52% of eligible Minnesotans and 85% of senior citizens at least receiving a first dose. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The number of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care in Minnesota hospitals increased over the weekend, underscoring the continued threat of the pandemic despite vaccination progress in the state.The 172 COVID-19 patients in hospital ICU beds on Sunday was a sharp increase from a recent low of 37 on March 6, but remained below the record 399 on Dec. 1 during the last pandemic wave. There were 682 total...…More from the HomepageVaccination progress continues — with 52% of eligible Minnesotans and 85% of senior citizens at least receiving a first dose. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The number of COVID-19 patients needing intensive care in Minnesota hospitals increased over the weekend, underscoring the continued threat of the pandemic despite vaccination progress in the state.The 172 COVID-19 patients in hospital ICU beds on Sunday was a sharp increase from a recent low of 37 on March 6, but remained below the record 399 on Dec. 1 during the last pandemic wave. There were 682 total...WW…

More from the Homepageprev'They all need work': Expert grades Minnesota's state flag finalistsInsured Minnesotans' health care cost $581 more per person last yearLisa Sayles-Adams, longtime Twin Cities school leader, makes case for Minneapolis superintendent jobHenry Kissinger, secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford, dies at 100Minnesota's Somali community rallying to support its flood-devastated homelandUMD football player who transferred from North Dakota State dies at 22The winning recipes for the 2023 Star Tribune Holiday Cookie ContestMinneapolis wants to take the 'lounge'...…More from the Homepageprev'They all need work': Expert grades Minnesota's state flag finalistsInsured Minnesotans' health care cost $581 more per person last yearLisa Sayles-Adams, longtime Twin Cities school leader, makes case for Minneapolis superintendent jobHenry Kissinger, secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford, dies at 100Minnesota's Somali community rallying to support its flood-devastated homelandUMD football player who transferred from North Dakota State dies at 22The winning recipes for the 2023 Star Tribune Holiday Cookie ContestMinneapolis wants to take the 'lounge'...WW…