Recent content from Glenn Howatt
Live: Latest updates and what you need to know about COVID-19
As the novel coronavirus spreads across the world, we've answered reader question about what they most want to know about the outbreak.
1,367 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more deaths reported in Minnesota
Young Minnesotans account for 23% of new cases
What you need to know about Minnesota's vaccine plan
Here are answers to questions you may have about vaccines and the state's strategy to vaccinate millions of Minnesotans.
Minnesota's COVID-19 case rates have grown 25 days in a row
The state's test positivity rate and hospitalization growth rate are also at levels that public officials consider to be warning signs.
![Critical care nurses and respiratory therapists prepared to supine a proned patient at North Memorial Health Hospital in December. ] AARON LAVINSKY](https://chorus.stimg.co/22423030/ows_2f33d1bf_a1a6_4f17_9424_34b7ff2c0045.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
State's COVID-19 hospitalizations almost double February totals
Some evidence suggests that highly infectious and possibly more serious COVID-19 variants are also responsible, sickening those at younger ages who would have otherwise not needed medical care.
Minnesota State Fairgrounds to become COVID vaccination site
Gov. Tim Walz and FEMA announced Monday that shots will begin at the Falcon Heights location on April 14.
Minnesota offers financial assistance to older children who lost foster care benefits
An estimated 770 youth who have aged out or are close to it would be eligible for assistance.
COVID-19 pandemic fuels telehealth expansion
Emergency changes in telehealth rules likely to outlast pandemic.
Minnesota tops 1,700 new COVID-19 cases for third consecutive day
More than 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered this month.
All Minnesotans 16 and up to be eligible for vaccine on Tuesday
Gov. Tim Walz will make the announcement on Friday. Vaccinators will be asked to prioritize shots to those with high COVID-19 risk.
Younger Minnesotans lead COVID-19 case growth
New infections have jumped 9% this month in 10- to 14-year-olds. Officials reported 1,857 new COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths.
Walz: Minnesota on track to meet Biden COVID-19 vaccine goal
All adults will be eligible by May, but shots could stretch into June.
1,107 new COVID-19 cases, 13 more deaths in Minnesota
Nearly 21% of states residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose
What you need to know about Minnesota's COVID-19 restrictions
The latest updates on Gov. Tim Walz's coronavirus restrictions, from mask mandates to caps on gatherings.
Lab reporting backlog adds 138 COVID-19 deaths to Minnesota toll
Four labs now face state investigation, possible administrative penalties for reporting failures.
Minnesota to address racial and ethnic inequities in COVID-19 vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccinations for Minnesota's Black, Hispanic and Asian populations lag behind shots given to the state's white population. The information comes from 10 large health care systems.
Eligible Minn. family caregivers turned away for COVID vaccine
People who care for relatives with complex needs qualify as health care workers, but some clinics and local public health agencies aren't aware of that.
First doses of new COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Minnesota
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the third vaccine to receive regulatory approval
![Registered nurse Darcey McCampbell measured a dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine in January at a vaccine clinic site in Brooklyn Center. ] GLEN STUB](https://chorus.stimg.co/22342747/ows_d59ce3dd_707a_4e07_92bb_339c599cb8d9.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
788 new COVID-19 cases, 17 more deaths in Minnesota
Nearly 17% of the state's population has been vaccinated
Type 1 diabetes, rare diseases, added to vaccine priority groups
Minnesota health officials also added workers in the court system and some public health jobs after the 70% of those 65 and older are vaccinated by the end of the month.
![M Health Fairview nurse Nicole Parr extracted a dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 19 at Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis. ] AARON LA](https://chorus.stimg.co/22340061/ows_129c8b9d_b637_47fc_a82d_cd5003c037dd.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
53% of Minnesota seniors have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose
Goal is to get 70% vaccinated by end of March
Vaccine for at-risk patients is next step in Minnesota's rollout
More than 1.3 million Minnesotans will become eligible for vaccine in April due to underlying health conditions. But new questions were raised by a federal panel Monday that some states were defining eligibility too narrowly.
16% of Minnesotans have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose
The number of doses given increased 28% last week
Health advocates warn Minnesota's COVID-19 vaccine priorities ignore high-risk individuals
New state vaccination guidelines leave off people with some chronic conditions and disabilities
Minnesota reports 1,156 new COVID-19 cases, 12 more deaths
More than 800,000 Minnesotans have received first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
![Leona Murphy, 77, of St. Paul, received a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Feb. 5 at a United Family Medicine clinic in St. Paul. ] AARON LA](https://chorus.stimg.co/22328663/ows_387c5358_8c42_4b00_a72c_f89f90d00954.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota essential workers, vulnerable get vaccine in April
Once 70% of Minnesota's seniors are vaccinated by the end of March, the state's COVID-19 vaccine rollout will move on to those with underlying health conditions and workers who are at high risk for infection.
Students, families asked to take COVID tests every 2 weeks
Recommendation comes as more children are returning to school.
Walz set to announce next phases in vaccine rollout today
State will prioritize essential workers and medically vulnerable after 70% of seniors are vaccinated by the end of March
Minnesota reports 761 new COVID-19 cases, nine more deaths
Feds send $3M to Minnesota for COVID-19 vaccination sites
University of Minnesota to launch program on health equity research
Donation will fund a center for anti-racism health equity research in School of Public Health
Walz to announce soon new COVID vaccine priority groups
It could come within a week after state officials make final decisions about the next phase of the rollout, the governor said.
One additional death reported; 513 new COVID cases in state
Nearly 14% of the state's residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot
Hennepin Healthcare hires first chief health equity officer
The hire is part of an effort to eliminate health care disparities and improve patient health.
Minnesota hospitals start outreach to improve COVID-19 vaccine equity
Some Minnesota health care systems have begun COVID-19 vaccination outreach programs to communities that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.The efforts come as…
Minnesota falling behind in equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccine
Recent shift in vaccine priority groups delays shots for those at highest risk, critics say
COVID-19 cases plunge at Minnesota senior homes as vaccinations ramp up
State health officials say there are promising signs the COVID-19 vaccine is reducing infections.
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.
22,643 more Minnesotans get first COVID-19 vaccine shot
State health officials estimate that 9% of the state's population has gotten at least one of the two recommended shots. Among those 65 and older, the number is 23.1%. Minnesota providers will receive nearly 84,000 vaccine doses next week.
Osterholm: Delay 2nd COVID-19 dose to get more vaccinated
Speaking before a Minnesota House health committee, the epidemiologist said that with many other vaccines immunity protection improves when the doses are spaced out by months. The Minnesota Department of Health said it plans no changes to the dosing schedule.
'Closer to home': State has 35K doses for seniors at 100 sites
Minnesota health officials are shifting away from reliance on nine state-sponsored COVID-19 community vaccination sites that opened two weeks ago toward established local providers, long the backbone for delivering influenza and other vaccinations.
Minnesota reports 727 new COVID-19 infections, two more deaths
7.6% of state residents have been vaccinated
Minnesota's independent clinics struggle to get COVID-19 vaccine
Six weeks after the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in Minnesota, clinics not part of the large health systems are getting their first notification about where they stand in line, raising questions about planning shortfalls.
Some Minnesota seniors getting COVID-19 vaccine in clinics
It does raise questions about the distribution system for Minnesota's seniors, given that some have to wait while others don't.
Minnesota chooses 9,425 seniors to receive COVID-19 vaccine
State officials have begun notifying seniors who were picked to receive COVID-19 vaccines this week by text, e-mail or phone. There were 18 COVID-19 deaths and 851 new confirmed cases Wednesday.
205,000 seniors register for state's COVID vaccine lottery
State officials said that the new system experienced heavy traffic shortly after it opened at 5 a.m. Tuesday, but wait times improved throughout the day.
Minn. seniors see mixed results with new vaccine lottery sign-up
Slots for vaccine shots will be assigned by lottery for those who register. The registration window is open until 5 a.m. Wednesday. Minnesota health officials announced another eight deaths and 727 newly confirmed cases.
Minnesota pharmacies ask to be included in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
A key senator said the state Health Department should rely on pharmacies and clinics to help administer vaccine shots.
34 COVID-19 deaths, 1,237 more cases in Minnesota
Minnesota is approaching 6,000 total coronavirus fatalities.
Gov. Tim Walz criticizes feds for COVID-19 vaccine mix-up
State officials had hoped to get more than 60,000 vaccine doses each week from the federal government.
1,640 new COVID-19 cases, 33 more deaths in Minnesota
Vaccination sites are administering 13,000 to 14,000 shots on weekdays.
Minnesota widens vaccine eligibility for clinic 'flexibility'
People who are not in the designated high priority groups can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but the shots will still not be widely available. An announcement about expanding eligibility is expected in a few days.
43 more COVID-19 deaths, 1,598 new cases in Minnesota
The state vaccine supply reaches more than 558,000 doses
Frustrations build over COVID-19 vaccine delays in Minn. nursing homes
A prominent lawmaker called the pace of the vaccine rollout "unconscionably slow."
Minnesota hospital ICUs became dangerously full in November
Pressure on available beds has eased, but the threat of more COVID-19 spread hasn't.
Minnesota's grim 2020 virus toll: 5,377 deaths, 417,832 cases
Another 54 Minnesotans have died from COVID-19 complications and 2,543 have tested positive, closing the book on the pandemic's 2020 impact in Minnesota.
Minnesota prepares for next wave of COVID-19 vaccinations
Essential workers and those older than 74 will be next in line for vaccinations. Because demand far outstrips supply, the shots will continue to be rationed and the general public may not have any access until late spring or early summer.
At least 38,000 Minnesotans have received a COVID-19 vaccine in past two weeks
The University of Minnesota is to begin a new COVID-19 vaccine trial next week.
Testing volumes drop as state looks for signs of new strain
Testing volume before Christmas was down by almost a third compared to Thanksgiving; meanwhile, state officials are on alert for emergence of a more contagious virus strain.
Minnesota reports 36 more COVID-19 deaths
The state Health Department reported 988 new cases on a relatively low test volume.
13 new COVID-19 deaths, 1,087 more cases reported in Minnesota
Testing volume was at its lowest in nearly two months.
Father-daughter pediatricians among first to get vaccine in Minnesota
It will take time before the vaccines out now, and others in the pipeline, can make a significant dent in the spread of the highly infectious coronavirus.
57 more COVID-19 deaths, 2,170 new cases in Minnesota
The pandemic has now claimed 5,107 state residents.
![Nidhi Joshi, right, watched as her 9-year old son, Bhruv was tested for COVID-19 on Friday, Dec. 4, at North Memorial’s drive-up testing site. ]](https://chorus.stimg.co/22195495/ows_7c05b2dd_ae52_483f_bff9_5269e958bdc4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota surpasses 5,000 COVID-19 deaths
The state has recorded more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in just 17 days.
![Dr. Sophia Kim, an internist at North Memorial, drew a dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with a syringe Monday morning, Dec. 21, 2020. ]](https://chorus.stimg.co/22194444/ows_3b127e2f_d9c5_4d25_8668_437f816df864.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Vaccine shipping delay not expected to derail shots for Minnesota nursing homes
Nursing home vaccinations are scheduled to start Monday
Minnesota reports 75 more COVID-19 deaths, 1,513 new cases
Daily case rates have been decreasing, with 1,513 new cases reported Wednesday.
Minn. care providers question COVID-19 vaccine allocations
A leader of one of the clinics said Minnesota's vaccination plan resembles a "trickle-down" model that perpetuates long-standing health inequities in the state.
Minnesota surpasses 400,000 COVID cases
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said the state could surpass 5,000 total coronavirus deaths this week.
How a Minnesota nursing home fell into a COVID-19 black hole
As COVID-19 raced across the U.S., elderly residents in long-term care faced the gravest peril. But little was done, and the virus savaged care centers plagued for years by poor infection control and lax oversight.
Gov. Tim Walz delays COVID-19 business closure decision to Wednesday
The order closing bars, restaurants and gyms is set to expire next week.
94 virus deaths in Minnesota are second-highest total of pandemic
The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,773 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the pandemic total to 370,968. Minnesota has seen 4,292 fatalities and is on pace to surpass 5,000 deaths by the end of the year.
Communities of color skeptical about vaccine for COVID-19
"We have much work to do around getting the vaccine and also addressing their concerns," a Mayo Clinic researcher said.
89 more COVID deaths in Minnesota, with 3,523 new cases
Though new case numbers have moderated from high levels in November, reports of new deaths have continued to be high since Thanksgiving.
Questions remain about long-term effects of COVID vaccines
More studies are required before children, pregnant women and mothers who breastfeed can get the shot.
Minnesota reports 82 more virus deaths, 4,589 new cases
The pandemic has claimed more than 4,100 lives in the state. Since Thanksgiving, there have been 734 deaths, an average of 54 new deaths reported each day.
Minnesota could receive first COVID vaccine doses next week
The federal government, which controls the distribution of the vaccine to the states, has told Minnesota officials that the first shipment will contain 46,800 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
