Local
After signs of retreat, COVID-19 roars back as 2022 begins
Health officials are expecting the omicron variant to fuel new cases in the coming weeks.
Nation
Studies suggest why omicron is less severe: It spares the lungs
Infections often are limited largely to the upper airway.
Sports
Browns' Mayfield downplays death threats after Packers loss
Baker Mayfield's focus is solely on the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's got no time for the "keyboard warriors."
Local
Local
CDC tells even vaccinated travelers to avoid cruises
The number of outbreaks on ships has grown in recent weeks.
Nation
They were so careful, for so long. They got COVID anyway.
Vaccinated people followed guidelines but still got mild cases of COVID. Doctors say this could be the new normal.
Nation
Omicron is not more severe for children, despite rising hospitalizations
Preliminary data suggests that compared with the delta variant, omicron appears to be causing milder illness in children, similar to early findings for adults.
Nation
With omicron, it may be harder to tell if you have COVID, the common cold or flu
Several factors are contributing to the blurring of symptoms among viruses.
World
How errors, inaction sent a deadly COVID variant around the world
India was slow to identify and publicize the emergence of delta.
Local
After year of virtually no cases, seasonal flu is back in Minnesota
Although flu infections are not yet swamping the system, health officials report a noticeable uptick in cases that began in early December and continues to escalate.
Nation
CDC slashes estimate of omicron's prevalence in U.S.
Variant is now believed to account for roughly 59% of all COVID cases. That could mean that a significant number of hospitalizations in mid-December were driven by the delta variant.
Local
Walz: $2.5M in federal funds will increase at-home virus tests
More than 200,000 residents took COVID-19 tests in the days before Christmas. The testing labs reported 9,873 positive test results over the three-day period that included Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Nation
Omicron proving to be less serious but pervasive, Fauci says
Effect on holiday flights crippling as airline staff get sick.
Local
Minnesotans face off with omicron in their own way
The highly transmissible variant hasn't changed lots of minds
Nation
What are the symptoms of a COVID-19 omicron variant infection?
Many COVID-19 symptoms vary depending on a person's vaccine status.
Local
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.
Nation
Omicron, holidays unleash scramble for coronavirus tests
Easy access to coronavirus tests — both rapid at-home kits and PCR tests analyzed in labs — is uneven across the U.S. as the nation faces the prospect of outbreaks linked to holiday travel and the omicron variant.
www.startribune.com
CDC backs schools' COVID 'test-to-stay' policies
At the White House, CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky called 'Test to Stay' a "promising and now proven strategy."
www.startribune.com
Biden warns of illness and death as omicron surges
The president on Thursday predicted a "winter of severe illness and death" for those who are still unvaccinated and implored Americans anew to get their shots and boosters.
Browse Variety Sections
Most Read
Health news
Latest news and features coverage of health care in Minnesota and elsewhere.