Recent content from Jeremy Olson
Outbreak at S.D. wrestling meet worries Minn. health officials
Lack of mask-wearing and social distancing adds to concerns of event in South Dakota fueling viral spread in Minnesota.
Minnesota COVID-19 hospitalizations double in three weeks to 651
More than half of population in Hennepin County has received COVID-19 vaccine, statewide rate rises to 47%.
COVID-19 forecasts split on Minnesota's pandemic future
More infectious variants believed to be causing half of all new COVID-19 cases in Minnesota right now.
Minnesota prepares for any dropoff in COVID vaccine demand
Officials ready to boost outreach if interest flags.
Virus cases press Minnesota hospital capacity once again
COVID-19 hospitalizations rose above 500 in Minnesota for the first time since late January.
COVID-19 vaccine options emerging to address inequity in Minnesota
State nearing rollout out of retrofitted Metro buses as mobile vaccine clinics to visit high-need areas.
2,553 Minnesota virus cases are highest single-day count since Jan. 4
Health officials are promoting antibody therapies to help prevent hospitalizations amid rising pandemic activity in Minnesota.
Variants make Minnesota new COVID-19 epicenter
State epidemiologist commends prevention efforts in Carver County for tapering variant-driven COVID-19 growth.
Minnesota daily COVID-19 count exceeds 2,000 again
Latest uptick in pandemic activity underscores the need to vaccinate Minnesotans who are more at risk.
Minnesota COVID-19 hospitalizations back above 400
But hope is vaccine will blunt most severe illness.
Minnesota governors unite over vaccine available for all
State leaders urge people to gain first shot available to them amid uptick in COVID-19 activity in Minnesota.
COVID-19 positivity rate rises above Minnesota caution level
More than 1 million Minnesotans have completed COVID-19 vaccine series, and 37% of people 16 and older have received at least one dose.
![Nurse Winnie Nyabuto vaccinated a patient with a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. ] AARON LAVINSKY aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com](https://chorus.stimg.co/22407965/ows_39885b96_52c5_4293_b3f3_8ca923011495.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
As Minnesota vaccine eligibility expands, so do challenges to find dose
Expansion lengthens the line of vaccine recipients by an estimated 900,000 people, but doesn't increase the vaccine supply.
Study in Duluth, seven other sites shows vaccine is 90% effective
A low rate of asymptomatic infection in vaccinated people could have implications for guidance on masks.
Walz: Rural providers, Minnesota's progress influenced move to expand vaccine eligibility
Everyone 16 and older will be eligible for shots starting Tuesday. Some providers will immediately take appointments for newly eligible recipients, while others will focus on the higher-risk population.
![People’s Center Clinic medical assistant Sabah Askar gave Diane Snodgrass her second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic. ] ELIZA](https://chorus.stimg.co/22400016/ows_ad7ed677_0105_42c8_8648_021630a28b2d.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota's COVID testing positivity rate climbs near 5% threshold
Signs of an uptick of pandemic activity continue in Minnesota, where the positivity rate of diagnostic testing increased to 4.7%
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.
Tiny minority of vaccinated Minnesotans test positive for COVID-19
Doctors report less-severe illness when it does occur in patients following vaccination.
U.K. COVID-19 variant now widespread in Minnesota
Genomic sequencing has found 479 infections with B.1.1.7, 108 infections with new variants found in California.
Minnesota reports sixth young COVID-19 death
Minnesota reported its sixth death in someone 24 or younger from COVID-19. Health officials are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations amid progress in vaccinations.
![Stephen Van Zee, 43, of Farmington got a COVID-19 vaccine shot on Wednesday at a Thrifty White in Waseca. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribun](https://chorus.stimg.co/22390243/ows_42533415_0011_4457_8906_ee0390beb73e.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Minnesota seeks gains in COVID-19 workforce vaccinations
No COVID-19 deaths reported Monday, the first daily report without at least one since April 13.
Minn. reports 0 new COVID-19 deaths for first time in months
Declines in mask-wearing and mitigation measures have health officials concerned despite progress and increased vaccinations.
Mapping of Carver County outbreak unmasks how COVID spreads
Variant-driven cases in Carver County show how web of infections spreads.
Minnesota nears 80% COVID-19 vaccination rate in seniors
Vaccination progress considered a key in race against COVID-19 as new variants of the infectious disease emerge.
Minnesota hits 500,000 COVID-19 cases, 2M vaccine shots
Walz in quarantine says vaccine milestone is a hopeful sign in Minnesota's year with the pandemic.
![Gov. Tim Walz is going to quarantine through March 25 because a member of his staff tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. ] RICHARD TSONG-TAATA](https://chorus.stimg.co/22377875/ows_936cdd2d_bee0_48f9_89e5_23da19021f1f.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
COVID-19 exposure puts Walz in quarantine
Gov. Tim Walz is postponing his State of the State Address going into quarantine through March 25 after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Walz has not been vaccinated.
Minnesota nears 2 million mark for COVID-19 vaccine shots
Timely second doses urged by Minnesota leaders to boost vaccine effectiveness.
Lower-risk teens fueling COVID-19 uptick in Minnesota
Race is on to vaccinate higher-risk elderly adults amid COVID-19 case growth in lower-risk teenagers.
'Time to play catch-up' on race gap as vaccine access widens
The latest data show that Blacks make up 6% of the state's population but 3.5% of its vaccine recipients. The the recent expansion to 1.8 million Minnesotans offers a chance to even that out, health officials say.
Minnesota nears a half-million COVID-19 infections
Actual rate of Minnesotans who had COVID-19 could be 20 to 30% given the number of asymptomatic, untested infections.
Gov. Walz details major rollback of state's COVID-19 restrictions
Larger group events ranging from high school proms to live Minnesota Twins baseball can resume this spring. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to operate at 75% capacity.
First sign of South African variant in Minnesota adds to COVID-19 concerns
Mayo study offers new evidence that vaccine prevents asymptomatic cases of COVID-19, and resulting viral spread.
Minnesota offers free virus testing after Carver County flare-up
A COVID-19 outbreak related to organized youth sports has contradicted otherwise improving signs of pandemic activity in Minnesota. The state reported 19 deaths and 1,096 cases.
Minnesota exceeds 1.1M virus vaccine recipients
State investigation of Carver County COVID-19 outbreak among young athletes lauded for its tracking of viral spread.
Lab reporting backlog adds 138 COVID-19 deaths to Minnesota toll
Four labs now face state investigation, possible administrative penalties for reporting failures.
State expands vaccine access to chronically ill, front-line jobs
Large group of Minnesotans with underlying health problems, key occupations will receive access ahead of schedule.
More in state may soon be eligible for COVID vaccines
The state is approaching 70% of seniors with the COVID-19 vaccine, which would allow expansion to Minnesotans with certain occupations or chronic conditions.
Minnesota's long haul: One year of struggling with COVID-19
Change is the constant as Minnesotans found new pathways to deal with pandemic pressures.
Minnesota medical providers expand vaccine eligibility
Fairview and CentraCare are among those dropping age criteria to 65 and older as 1.4 million doses have now been administered.
Minnesota reports 826 new COVID-19 cases, 13 more deaths
The count for people with at least one vaccine dose now exceeds 836,735.
![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.
Declining COVID-19 ICU admissions in Minnesota a sign of vaccine progress
COVID-19 flare-ups in pockets of rural Minnesota reflect concerns that viral transmission has not gone away.
State reports 39 COVID-19 bar, restaurant outbreaks in 2021
The Minnesota Department of Health on Monday reported social outbreak data also showing 85 outbreaks involving sports and 23 in fitness clubs and gyms so far this year.
About the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector
All Minnesotans are encouraged to register for the new online tool.
Online tool tells all Minnesotans when they can get virus vaccine
Minnesota debuted a COVID-19 vaccine registration tool Thursday that will notify all people in the state when they are eligible for shots, and give senior citizens immediate access to a lottery for appointments at three state-operated sites.
Gov. Walz: 'It's time to get our students back in school'
Gov. Tim Walz announced that all Minnesota middle and high schools can opt to bring students back for hybrid or in-person learning as soon as Feb. 22, and all schools should offer it by March 8.
More than 695K Minnesotans have received COVID vaccine
Health officials remain concerned about more infectious viral variants amid COVID-19 progress, vaccinations.
U's Osterholm joins a call for respecting COVID-19 aerosol threat
The researchers criticized the CDC for acknowledging the aerosol risk last fall but offering no changes in the national COVID-19 response strategy.
Minnesota COVID-19 cases decline, but variant risks rise
The positivity rate of diagnostic testing has dropped to 3.8% in Minnesota. But health officials have cautioned that the progress could be upset by new, more infectious variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Minnesota's regional providers step up to vaccine challenge
Minnesota's little-known network of eight health care regions has become a key cog in vaccine distribution — filling in geographic or population gaps that are otherwise missed by the state's strategy.
Minn. reports 914K vaccine doses, boosts national ranking
Minnesota remains better than most states in pace of vaccination, but will learn Monday from one of the fastest — West Virginia — in Senate testimony.
Mask-wearing urged to get state over COVID finish line
New modeling forecast shows sustained decline in COVID-19 deaths in Minnesota through May, despite new viral variant risks.
Walz touts Minnesota's approach to getting kids back in school
His visit to a school testing clinic coincided with release of a federal school-reopening strategy.
Walz scales back virus restrictions in Minnesota
Caps on indoor gatherings such as wedding receptions rose from 10 people up to 50. Restaurants can host up to 250 people up to 50% of capacity and remain open until 11 p.m.
![The Moderna vaccine. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startribune.com Friday, January 8, 2021](https://chorus.stimg.co/22298867/ows_35b553b9_b4f1_415e_9c06_9ddfc5d8c5ec.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Small Minnesota pharmacies step up to vaccine challenge
Nearly 600,000 Minnesotans have at least received first doses of COVID-19 vaccine as state seeks to quicken pace.
Almost 600,000 have had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose in Minnesota
Twenty-four more COVID-19 deaths were reported, including 13 residents of long-term care facilities.
Minnesota reports increase in COVID-19 vaccine, 11 more deaths
Walgreens opens pharmacy appointments for senior citizens to receive 8,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, Thrifty White mostly booked up.
Minnesota reports 4% virus positivity, 6 more deaths, amid rising vaccinations
Minnesota's COVID-19 positivity rate has fallen to 4% amid continued signs of declining pandemic activity and rising vaccination numbers.
Minnesota now 14th in nation for vaccination distribution
Gov. Tim Walz announced a one-time diversion of 8,000 vaccine doses not being used in long-term care facilities this week to Walgreens pharmacies. Walmart and Thrifty White also are planning to administer 16,000 doses.
105-year-old Minnesota woman gets her COVID-19 vaccination
St. Paul woman is HealthPartners' oldest recipient so far of COVID-19 vaccine dose.
More than 600K virus vaccine doses given in Minnesota
The target goal is to vaccinate 80% of the population age 16 and older. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan endorsed priority COVID-19 vaccinations for child-care workers and said it is too soon to scale back restrictions.
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.
Minnesota COVID-19 positivity lowest since July
Roughly one in 50 Minnesotans have completed two-dose series of COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 fuels highest annual Minnesota death count
Increases in all causes of mortality in Minnesota in 2020 refute claims that pandemic only killed people who already were going to die.
Cases dropping as vaccination success emerges in Minnesota
Health care systems offer new vaccine slots, which get filled in hours, by senior citizens eager for pandemic protection.
Vaccine numbers nearly eclipse COVID-19 cases in Minnesota
A total of 116,928 people in Minnesota have now received both doses — mostly health care workers and long-term care residents who were prioritized.
'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 cuts vaccine sites, adds doses for seniors
Mass state COVID-19 vaccination events will be scaled back across the state this week in order to give more doses to medical providers who can reach out to more of their patients.
More than 6% of Minnesotans have received COVID-19 vaccine
State health officials were unclear Friday whether pop-up vaccine sites for seniors and a sign-up lottery will continue next week. The state reported 28 deaths and 1,145 infections.
Walz calls better COVID vaccine supply a 'golden opportunity'
Minnesota is faulted for a deliberate vaccine approach, but the payoff is a low rate of wasted doses.
Minnesota COVID-19 positivity rate dips below 5% threshold
The positivity rate of diagnostic testing for COVID-19 has dipped back below Minnesota's warning threshold. The state reported 16 new deaths and 1,335 infections, while more than 5% of Minnesota's population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Some Twin Cities teachers shut out from COVID-19 vaccine slots
Convention hall at Xcel in St. Paul set to vaccinate 375 teachers per hour.
Nation's first case of Brazilian COVID variant found in Minn.
The more contagious variant was found in a Minnesota resident who recently traveled to Brazil, and underscores the need for continued mask-wearing and social-distancing practices, state health officials said Monday.
State's seniors get 24 hours to sign up for vaccine lottery
Starting at 5 a.m. today, Minnesotans 65 and older can register for nine sites administering COVID shots.
Walz: Minnesota heading toward 3 million vaccinated target
State issues new system for connecting independent practitioners, prioritized for vaccine, with clinics providing shots.
