Recent content from Jeremy Olson
Mental health workers set one-day strike at Allina, Fairview hospitals
Safety is a priority for newly unionized workers, along with benefits to stop people from leaving the profession.
Hospitalizations, COVID wastewater levels creeping up in Minnesota
COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising along with infection numbers, but some involve patients with mild or asymptomatic cases.
Kids in crisis being dropped at the ER doors overwhelm Mpls. hospital
Masonic Children's created a makeshift holding unit in an ambulance bay to try and meet the demand.
368 COVID-19 hospitalizations reported in state as cases rise
Increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations comes amid substantial growth in coronavirus infections in Minnesota.
Need for COVID-19 testing in Minnesota has shifted with pandemic
Anybody that wants a test can get a test for COVID-19 these days, but the purpose and value is different after two years of the pandemic.
21 Minnesota counties listed as moderate, high COVID-19 risks
Olmsted and Wabasha counties dropped out of the high-risk range after one week, but Pennington is now at the level that carries a mask recommendation.
Gov. Walz, Malcolm receive second COVID-19 boosters
The governor and health commissioner promoted the shot for vulnerable populations as variants persist.
COVID-19 hospitalizations above 300 in Minnesota, but severity lower
Share of admitted patients requiring intensive care is at the lowest in the pandemic in Minnesota.
Mystery pediatric hepatitis cases investigated in Minnesota
Cases include Minnesota's youngest-ever liver transplant recipient and another child awaiting transplant.
More COVID in wastewater, but 'downturn' on severity of illness
The state appears on the leading edge of an increase in U.S. pandemic activity, but infections haven't translated into more severe cases.
Mpls. recommends masks; two counties in high COVID range
Minneapolis said a local uptick in hospitalizations is enough to warrant indoor use again, but Hennepin County remains at a low risk.
Retention top concern for Twin Cities hospitals, nurses amid negotiations
Pay, benefits, safety, staffing all on the table, but this time through the lens of COVID-19 and its impact on hospital nursing.
6 in 10 Minnesotans have had COVID-19, according to estimates
Federal estimates show breadth of impact from the winter omicron COVID-19 wave, but not necessarily protection against what's next.
New aspirin guidance influenced by Minnesota research
HealthPartners modeling helps show certain age groups benefit from daily aspirin more than others.
Twin Cities wastewater shows steady COVID-19 increase
Sewage sampling, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are gradually rising, but severity of Minnesota's next pandemic phase unclear.
COVID infections back above Minnesota's high-risk threshold
Health officials watch for uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths after April increase in infections.
Mayo expert backs COVID-19 vaccines despite having possible side effect
The leader of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group suffered tinnitus, or persistent ear-ringing, after his second COVID-19 vaccine dose.
ICU cases drop amid signs of Minnesota COVID-19 uptick
Most severe hospitalizations peaked with the delta coronavirus variant and have declined in 2022.
Long COVID making pandemic even longer in Minnesota
A statewide survey may help health officials who are debating what long COVID means, who is susceptible and how many people have it.
Omicron subvariant dominates COVID-19 levels in Minnesota
Wastewater and genomic sequencing data agree the BA.2 subvariant is the primary source of coronavirus infections in Minnesota.
Vaccine helps reduce heart attack deaths among COVID-19 patients
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation saw a decline in such deaths in 2021, but primarily in the vaccinated population.
Should you get a second COVID-19 vaccine booster?
Clinics are seeing an uptick in vaccination appointments after updated CDC guidance, but some newly eligible Minnesotans question the timing.
Omicron 'stealth' subvariant takes over in Minnesota
Sampling over the past week found that the BA.2 omicron subvariant accounted for 72% of the viral load in Twin Cities wastewater.
Brazilian study finds ivermectin an ineffective COVID-19 treatment
Results from a University of Minnesota clinical trial of ivermectin are nearing publication, but a Brazilian study shows the drug did not prevent COVID-19 hospitalizations.
Minnesota offers free at-home COVID-19 tests this week
The state's shuffle in its pandemic monitoring comes during a lull in COVID-19 cases but ahead of a possible wave.
Clinical care suffers during pandemic in Minnesota
Most clinics saw their performance grades decline in 2020, but Minnesota Community Measurement as usual found some performed better than others.
Coronavirus levels low, but rising in Twin Cities wastewater
Sampling found the first weekly increase in coronavirus levels in metro wastewater since early January.
Minnesota milestone: A day of zero COVID-19 deaths
COVID-19 deaths have lingered after pandemic waves, but latest trends are favorable for Minnesota.
'Safest time in many, many months' to gather amid Minnesota COVID dip
All indicators show sustained declines in COVID-19 activity in Minnesota, but that doesn't mean the pandemic is over.
In Minnesota, home testing expands beyond COVID-19
Comfort with home tests during the pandemic has Medica hopeful that members will embrace test for kidney disease.
Aid helps Minnesota hospitals, but staffing crisis looms
Minnesota hospitals received $879 million in public funds in 2020, but face post-pandemic problems without that increased emergency support.
Health officials asking when will pandemic reset to endemic?
Case numbers, wastewater surveillance and hospitalizations are all moving in the right direction, but COVID-19 vaccination has stagnated.
Minn. 2021 death toll well above expected total despite vaccine
More than 5,000 COVID-19 deaths in the state last year account for most of the increase.
Pollution deaths down amid gains in Twin Cities area air quality
Disparities mar report showing fewer Twin Cities deaths linked to poor air quality in 2015 compared with 2008.
Two years into the pandemic, COVID remains a step ahead
Treatment options and tracking of COVID-19 have dramatically improved, but the pandemic keeps shifting, and public fatigue is fraying Minnesota's response.
CDC drops most of Minnesota out of COVID-19 high-risk range
COVID-19 test positivity rate in Minnesota drops below caution threshold for first time since Aug. 2.
Minnesota ends February with sharp decline in COVID-19 deaths
Numbers are incomplete for February, but match other indicators of a declining pandemic wave in Minnesota.
CDC change reflects declining COVID-19 risks in Twin Cities
Switch to measuring county COVID-19 risk levels by hospital burden brings federal approach in line with state pandemic response.
COVID-19 deaths decline as Minnesota emerges from omicron wave
COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign increased immunity levels during record viral spread
Whole Woman's Health clinic resumes abortions in Bloomington
The clinic's goal is to improve abortion access in Minnesota and in other states with new or planned restrictions.
COVID-19 hospitalizations drop below 1,000 in Minnesota
Pressure on Minnesota ICUs abates as influenza season appears to peak as well.
Vaccine effective in Minnesota, but omicron presents a challenge
The second week of January saw more COVID-19 deaths among the vaccinated, but risks remained higher in those who were not.
Severe COVID at lowest levels in months in Minn. hospitals
Mask-wearing and social distancing increased during the omicron pandemic wave but decreased after the peak.
COVID-19 indicators are improving in Minnesota
Rates of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations fall on the downside of omicron pandemic wave.
Metro hospitals halt ambulance diversions amid COVID-19 crush
Overuse of ambulance diversions during the pandemic has led to constant closing and reopening of ERs that left EMS crews and patients frustrated.
Severity of COVID-19 lessening in Minnesota hospitals
Predictions proved true: Omicron variant was less severe, but its unprecedented spread increased hospital numbers.
Mayo warns omicron peak means Minn. only halfway through surge
Modeling suggests that Minnesota's COVID-19 case rate will hit a peak in the next week, but active infections are likely already declining.
U ivermectin trial in treating COVID nearing completion
Proof of effectiveness would give doctors outpatient COVID-19 therapies amid limited antiviral and antibody supplies.
Breakthrough COVID cases in state show vaccine effectiveness
New data released Monday shows that fully vaccinated Minnesotans made up 55% of infections reported in the week ending Dec. 25, but only 26% of deaths.
COVID-19 vaccination rate drops for kids in Minnesota
Vaccine hesitancy, holiday breaks and appointment hassles reduced first-dose vaccinations in children 5-11.
Minnesota sues two companies over suspect COVID-19 testing
State health leader urges people to use reputable COVID-19 test providers amid signs of declining demand, peak in pandemic wave.
Mayo model foresees omicron peak in Minnesota next week
A quick peak to Minnesota's fifth pandemic wave would be welcome news in a state that on Tuesday reported another 10,651 infections and 29 COVID-19 deaths. The peak could come as early as Saturday or as late as Feb. 1.
COVID-19 hospitalizations back above 1,600 in Minnesota
Omicron surge is taxing COVID-19 testing resources, prompting CentraCare to pause testing asymptomatic people.
Minneapolis Convention Center COVID testing site temporarily moved to U.S. Bank Stadium
Testing will resume at the convention center Jan. 24.
Minnesota removes race as factor in rationing antibodies
The new guidance for distributing scarce COVID-19 treatments came just as a conservative group challenged the state's old rules.
Walz announces funding for hospitals to weather omicron
State leaders expect a surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations this month but hope for less severity, ICU demand.
COVID-19 test hoarding in Minnesota limits appointments
Scarcity also raises risks of scams, and the Better Business Bureau is looking into one startup testing company with sites in Minnesota.
Minnesota hospitals brace for omicron wave even as COVID-19 declines in ICUs
Number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care declines as health officials await impact of expanding omicron wave.
Boy's COVID journey reflects rare but rising omicron risk
Nine-year-old is making progress but remains in intensive care at HCMC after severe COVID-19.
COVID-19 positivity rate in Minnesota reaches record 15.6%
Minnesota is reporting a record 15.6% positivity rate for COVID-19 tests conducted in the seven days ending Dec. 30. Several factors contributed to increase in test positivity, and the fast-spreading omicron variant is one of them.
Test-to-stay works in Rochester schools, but supplies are needed
Rochester was an early adopter of method to keep children in classroom after possible coronavirus exposures.
At-home testing limits Minnesota COVID-19 surveillance
Growth in over-the-counter tests for coronavirus infections has reduced reporting of positive cases amid omicron wave.
Minnesota adding 3 COVID-19 testing sites as omicron surges
Gov. Tim Walz will highlight efforts to reduce hospital pressure by deploying specially trained National Guard members to nursing homes.
Minnesota's COVID-19 rate drops to 30th amid U.S. omicron surge
Positivity rate of COVID-19 testing has increased as Minnesota weighs impact of holidays, latest variant.
Minnesota volunteers take routine burdens off COVID-strapped hospital workers
Minnesota's Allina Health received overwhelming interest from volunteers to take on nonclinical tasks that would otherwise take care teams away from patients.
Omicron now 'dominant' for new COVID cases in Minnesota
Omicron is projected to be involved in more than half of new coronavirus infections in Minnesota, making two types of monoclonal antibody infusions less effective.
Minnesota COVID patient gets Christmas wish: a vaccinated family
The Cushing, Minn., mother of five was admitted to HCMC with an uncertain chance of recovery and now spends her days working toward returning home to her family.
Minnesota's COVID-19 rate falls as delta wave surges in the Northeast
Health officials caution against overconfidence in a holiday period that could fuel more infections.
7 COVID-19 cases in Minnesota linked to omicron variant
State commends vaccination progress one year after it became available, but is wary of current wave, future variant risks.
Fairview plans psychiatric hospital at Bethesda site
Standalone hospital proposal comes with concerns over access, involvement of publicly traded Acadia Healthcare.
State's COVID death toll tops 10,000 in grim milestone
Health officials say vaccine hesitancy, waning immunity and mitigation fatigue combined to make 2021 a severe year for COVID-19 deaths.
Surgery delays grow severe amid COVID-19 hospital crowding in Minnesota
Hospitals have deferred procedures to free up beds amid coronavirus wave, leaving some patients in prolonged pain.
Minnesota sees post-holiday COVID-19 surge, hopes for peak
Breakthrough infections help fuel continuation of COVID-19 wave in Minnesota, where more vaccinations and boosters are urged.
Unvaccinated patients filling Minnesota intensive care units
North Memorial's South Seven ICU shows how the unvaccinated are suffering even as vaccinated COVID-19 cases in Minnesota are increasing.
Vaccinations urged ahead of holidays as COVID-19 fills Minn. hospitals
State leaders acknowledged that vaccination appointments are becoming scarce, partly because of a shortage of health care providers to administer shots, but urged people to be persistent.
