Recent content from Christopher Snowbeck
Minnesota doctors hope for quick return of J&J vaccine
Single-dose product is key for reaching some groups, health officials say, but they fear a stigma might linger.
Minnesota COVID-19 deaths top 7,000 as cases, vaccinations rise
Minnesota reported 2,429 new coronavirus cases and 10 more deaths linked to COVID-19. The seven-day average for net new cases declined for a second straight day.
UnitedHealth Group boosts outlook on profit jump
First quarter earnings beat expectations as insurance subscribers grew by 1 million people.
Vaccine 'passports' stir debate in Minnesota
Idea adopted elsewhere raises personal freedom and equity questions.
Minnesota COVID-19 case count tops 2,000 for 4th straight day
Minnesota is reporting 2,454 new coronavirus cases and 12 more deaths as the count for people with at least one vaccine dose approaches 2 million.
Blue Cross of Minnesota affiliate sold for $500 million
Eagan-based Further administers health savings accounts paired with high-deductible health plans.
UnitedHealth CEO makes first changes to leadership team
Brian Thompson was named chief executive of the UnitedHealth Group subsidiary.
How Minnesota confirmed the nation's first Brazilian COVID-19 variant case
Minnesota researchers' surprise discovery highlights importance of whole genome sequencing.
Concerns grow over COVID-19 variants, case growth in Minnesota as spring break nears
Spread of more infectious forms of virus complicate plans for schools, holidays.
Cases trend upward, as Minnesota reports 1,449 new COVID cases, 9 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose is approaching 1,138,000.
Dan Culhane, Twin Cities radio veteran and onetime co-host of morning show on KQRS, dies at 62
You might not have met Dan Culhane, but there's a good chance you've heard his voice.At radio stations across the Twin Cities, Culhane voiced commercials…
Minnesota virus cases creep up as vaccinations hit 1.2 million
Mixed indicators leave state health officials with an "in-between" sense for where the state stands.
MNsure shoppers will see extra $70 million in tax credits
The savings projection for existing customers doesn't include those who might newly tap health exchange subsidies.
UnitedHealth Group CEO 'more optimistic' on pandemic
Speaking at an investors conference, Andrew Witty made his first public comments as the company's chief executive.
State health officials stress travel risks as variants spread
Health officials say the spread of a more contagious version first found in the United Kingdom underscores the importance of people avoiding spring break travel.
1M Minnesotans have received COVID-19 shots
The state reported 975 new cases and 12 more deaths linked to COVID-19. The test "positivity rate" was again lower than the state's "caution" level of 5%.
Minn. health officials report COVID-19 variant clusters in Carver Co., call for youth sports pause
More than five dozen cases have been linked to participants in school, club sports.
Blue Cross of Minnesota lawsuit takes aim at 'Pharma Bro'
Lawsuit alleges monopoly scheme by drug company once headed by now imprisoned Martin Shkreli.
U to expand study of whether common diabetes drug could treat COVID
Early research suggests metformin, an inexpensive drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can help women infected with the virus avoid serious illness.
Mayo Clinic posts $728 million in income despite pandemic
After an initial hit, demand for COVID test helps to drive strong results.
UnitedHealth Group opens 'pop-up' infusion center for COVID-19 patients
"Monoclonal antibodies" given in Minnetonka to help avoid hospitalization.
Minnesota's COVID cases are down, but for how long?
Despite the decline, there's considerable uncertainty about whether it can be sustained, particularly as more contagious versions spread.
Allina, Optum plan to build surgery center in Brooklyn Park
Joint venture that was formed in 2019 plans to open or acquire about a dozen surgery centers in five years.
Coronavirus variant spreading in Minnesota
Officials fear a second wave of more contagious virus strain could emerge.
Minnesota reports 884 new COVID-19 cases, 11 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose now exceeds 742,000.
Minnesota hits 1 million mark with COVID-19 vaccine doses
The state postponed appointments at some community vaccination locations after severe winter weather in other parts of the country delayed at least part of this week's COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Google will open first office in Minnesota, and it's not in the Twin Cities
Rochester location fits with the tech giant's Mayo Clinic collaboration.
North Memorial Health Hospital nurse named to Biden COVID task force
Mary Turner, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association, will join group focused on health inequities.
New UnitedHealth CEO Witty could see $18.8 million in pay for 2021
After abrupt departure, former CEO will see salary and incentive pay for two years.
U studies antibodies for short-term immunity vs. COVID-19
Antibodies show promise in virus prevention efforts, not just treatment.
Minnesota reports 1,030 new COVID-19 cases, 17 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose now exceeds 525,000.
For Minnesota nurse on front lines, COVID-19 fight is personal
A COVID death in the family brings home patients' suffering, with the pain of that loss deepening her commitment to her difficult work.
Minn. hospitals criticize state's COVID-19 vaccine allocations
Some providers have not received any vaccine for weeks, the trade group said, adding that the new state COVID-19 vaccine allocation system deprives some rural communities of doses needed for patients.
UnitedHealth makes sudden CEO change, elevating Witty
David Wichmann is stepping down as the Minnetonka insurer's chief executive. Andrew Witty, the head of its Optum subsidiary who worked with the World Health Organization last year, now leads the whole company.
Minnesota health insurance coverage held steady despite pandemic
Growth in government-based coverage offset declines in employer-based health insurance.
Coronavirus variant finding in Minnesota raising questions
Scientists are trying to learn more about the coronavirus strain linked to Brazil because health officials don't know for sure if it's spreading in Minnesota.
Minnesotans get erroneous vaccine e-mails, then apologies
The glitch wrongly told people waiting for their second doses that appointments are "no longer valid."
Minnesota reports 1,087 new COVID-19 cases, 19 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose now exceeds 381,000.
Minnesota on guard against the coronavirus variants
Two weeks after the Department of Health reported the state's first cases, health officials are expanding the genetic sequencing work that scientists perform to document the new strain.
Minnesota reports 1,565 new COVID-19 cases, 31 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose now exceeds 229,000.
UnitedHealth Group beats profit estimates despite COVID-19
Pandemic costs hit earnings from the company's health insurance division.
Minnesota reports 1,529 new COVID-19 cases, 37 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose now exceeds 174,000.
Minnesota reports first cases of coronavirus variant
The new strain was detected in specimens from five residents in the Twin Cities metro area, the Minnesota Health Department says.
Slow uptake for promising new COVID-19 treatment in Minnesota
Some medical centers are reporting a surprising lack of patient interest in the outpatient antibody therapy, state health officials say.
Minnesota reports 2,489 new COVID-19 cases, 43 more deaths
State officials are watching for a potential increase in cases following holiday travels.
![Dr. Sophia Kim, an internist at North Memorial, drew a dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with a syringe Monday morning. ] AARON LAVINSKY](https://chorus.stimg.co/22219648/ows_358cf190_41ab_422c_ae82_b234196e2a86.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
HealthPartners studying COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women
Research will monitor recipients for impact on pregnancy, birth outcomes.
Minnesota is trending toward a grim holiday milestone with COVID-19 deaths
Less than two weeks old, December has already become the second-deadliest month for COVID-19 in Minnesota.
Minnesota reports 4,447 new COVID-19 cases, 67 more deaths
The latest numbers pushed the seven-day rolling average for new cases to the lowest reading since early November.
As case counts stabilize, COVID deaths in Minn. are surging
The state reported a record 399 fatalities last week, amid optimism over vaccine development and emerging treatments and concern about hospital capacity.
Minnesota reports 6,337 new COVID-19 cases, 75 more deaths
Since the virus started infecting Minnesotans in March, the state has reported 345,281 positive cases, 18,059 hospitalizations and 3,920 deaths. The "positivity rate" has been holding relatively steady in the past week, but remains higher than doctors want to see.
Study will let some get COVID antibody treatment at home
In partnership with the drug company Eli Lilly, Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth said Friday it would enroll in the study up to 500,000 people across 46 states, including Minnesota, with at least 5,000 patients expected to receive the monoclonal antibody treatment.
Virus surge pushing ambulance transfers 'through the roof'
State data show that ambulances during the week before Thanksgiving handled 780 calls — the highest since the start of the pandemic — where patients tested positive for COVID-19, reported symptoms or said they might have been exposed.
UnitedHealth executive returns after COVID-19 vaccine work
Andrew Witty's return after more than seven months working with the World Health Organization on development of coronavirus vaccines comes as UnitedHealth Group weighs impact of virus.
Minn. reports 9,040 new virus cases, 45 deaths over two days
With the latest figures, which cover two days, Minnesota has now seen 304,023 positive cases, 16,423 hospitalizations and 3,521 deaths since the pandemic arrive here in March.
Minnesota shatters daily record of COVID deaths with 101
With the latest numbers, Minnesota has now seen 3,476 deaths since the pandemic hit in March. "This is a sad development, but it is not a surprising development," Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said.
Mayo launches therapy to prevent COVID-19 hospitalizations
The clinic is the first in Minnesota to administer the antibody treatment.
Minnesota reports 6,265 new COVID-19 cases, 51 more deaths
Since the pandemic arrived in Minnesota in March, the state's pandemic tallies include 262,952 positive cases, 14,745 hospitalizations and 3,201 deaths. With the latest numbers, an average of about 13.5% of reported tests have been positive over the past week.
Minnesota hospitals worry despite operating profits
Q3 operating income didn't fully make up for losses earlier this year.
FEMA ambulances deployed to help transfer Minn. patients
The state is getting 25 staffed ambulances from the federal government to help hospitals transfer patients so medical centers are better prepared for a surge of critically ill patients.
State will get small supply of drug similar to Trump's treatment
Minnesota is beginning to receive limited supplies of a new COVID-19 therapy that could reduce the need for hospital stays and trips to the emergency…
Minnesota in 'desperate and dangerous place' with COVID-19
Health officials stressed the skyrocketing count wasn't due to a backlog or some other reporting anomaly, but rather, the rapid spread of a virus that will likely produce rising death counts and hospitalizations for weeks to come.
Minnesota reports record 8,703 new virus cases, 35 more deaths
The latest reading continues a recent trend of steady increases in the "positivity rate" for tests across the state — a worrisome sign, doctors say, for COVID-19 spread. Newly confirmed deaths included 27 in congregate care settings.
Citing COVID-19, nurses push to preserve ER in St. Paul
Fairview says the ER closure will have no impact on care for COVID-19 patients at St. Joseph's. Many pandemic patients aren't admitted through the emergency room, the health system says.
As cases surge in Minnesota, Midwest, hospitals scramble to keep up
Severe spike in COVID-19 cases, deaths has hospitals fearful of falling behind.
As Supreme Court takes up ACA challenge, MNsure pushes sign-ups
MNsure enrollment urged despite ACA arguments before the Supreme Court.
Minnesota reports 4,647 new COVID-19 cases, 34 more deaths
Newly confirmed deaths included 18 in congregate care settings.
Judge: UnitedHealth must redo 67K claims denied under 'overly restrictive guidelines'
Judge says insurer's initial coverage used guidelines "to protect its bottom line."
HealthPartners offering $40 million in pandemic credits
Bloomington-based carrier joins trend as insurers see fewer claims from patients.
A runaway October for infections in Minnesota
The number of positive cases reported Saturday topped the 3,000 mark for the second day in a row, reflecting a surge that's approaching what is now being seen in Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.
Minnesota reports 3,021 new virus cases, 20 more deaths
October's final COVID-19 data release continued Minnesota's recent trend of more virus deaths and escalating case counts.
Children's Minnesota eliminating 150 jobs in midst of COVID-19
State's largest pediatric medical center cites financial losses from pandemic, need for efficiency.
After dodging worst of COVID, rural Minn. 'lit up with cases'
Case counts are surging in rural communities like never before. Since the beginning of October, the 10 Minnesota counties with the fastest case growth are all in rural parts of the state.
COVID-19 case surge stoking worries in Minnesota
Doctors fear more deaths and serious illness as big case growth continues.
Minnesota reports 2,268 new virus cases, 14 more deaths
Newly confirmed deaths included nine in congregate care settings.
Minneapolis health insurance startup Bind Benefits raises $105 million
The startup is launching fully insured health plans in dozens of states in 2021.
