Local
Metro suburbs steer clear of mask and vaccine mandates
Even as St. Paul and Minneapolis reimpose mask mandates, suburban leaders say they lack the political will and the staff to enforce new mask policies at this time.
Duluth
Duluth council to vote on emergency mask mandate
Councilors were divided at Thursday night agenda-setting meeting.
White House, U.S. Postal Service finalizing plans to begin shipping coronavirus test kits to U.S. households
The administration will launch a website allowing individuals to request the rapid tests, people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Officials aim to begin shipping the kits by mid-January.
Local
Return of mask mandate met with shrugs in Mpls., St. Paul
The Twin Cities are considering going beyond masks to require proof of vaccination in some public places.
Minneapolis
State shutters troubled northeast Mpls. nursing home
Twin City Gardens was placed under state receivership in October because of patient care lapses and financial difficulties.
Local
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.
Local
With new COVID mandates, Vikings, Wild fans will have to mask up
The policy also applies to the Timberwolves, who don't have a home game until Jan. 16.
Local
Minneapolis, St. Paul reinstate indoor mask mandates
Mayors from both cities were citing a rise in COVID-19 cases from the fast-spreading omicron variant.
Local
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.
World
German health minister advocates tougher curbs on contacts
Germany's health minister is advocating tougher curbs on contact between people as the country prepares for a new rise in coronavirus infections fueled by the omicron variant.
Local
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.
Business
Mayo dropping 700 workers for lacking COVID vaccination
Rochester-based health system says about 1% of employees did not comply with vaccine mandate.
Local
Minnesota study provides more evidence of COVID-19 vaccine safety for pregnant women
The report from Bloomington-based HealthPartners and other centers found that COVID-19 vaccines have not caused preterm or small-for-gestational-age births.
Nation
Southeast U.S. poised for a firestorm of omicron cases
Lower vaccination rates and fewer mask and vaccine mandates have created a much different environment for the omicron variant to spread in the South.
Local
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.
Politics
Gov. Tim Walz recovers from COVID, out of quarantine
He urges Minnesotans to get tested if they feel sick and be patient as supply chain issues strain supplies.
Local
State's vaccine pioneers reflect on pandemic's rollercoaster year
Twelve months after becoming among the first to get vaccinated, health care workers worry about what may come next with COVID-19.
Sophia Hope Yang enters world as first Twin Cities baby born in 2022
She weighed 7 pounds and measured 19.5 inches long.
Local
Surprising mercury pollution improvements in Minnesota lakes raise questions, give hope
Scientists are rethinking how much local efforts might pay off.
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Health news
Latest news and features coverage of health care in Minnesota and elsewhere.
