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The latest surge of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota has been unrelenting. Since Thanksgiving, the number of active coronavirus cases in the state has gone ever higher, hitting a new peak for 2021 last Friday — and hospitals are overwhelmed.

That’s why leaders from nine major health care systems signed and published a 

 in newspapers across the state to ask Minnesotans for help. The presidents and CEOs of North Memorial Health, CentraCare, Allina Health, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare, Essentia Health, Fairview Health Services, Children's Minnesota and HealthPartners all say the situation in Minnesota hospitals is critical.

At the beginning of the ad, they write, “We’re heartbroken. We’re overwhelmed.”

Dr. Penny Wheeler, CEO of Allina Health, is one of the signees. She joined Cathy Wurzer with more on the situation.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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The leaders of nine major health systems published a full-page ad in newspapers across the state asking Minnesotans to help reduce the strain on hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

The leaders of nine major health systems have published a full-page ad in newspapers across the state asking Minnesotans to help reduce the strain on hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. One of the signees, Allina Health CEO Penny Wheeler, joined Cathy Wurzer with more on the situation.

Allina Health's CEO on the statewide hospital plea for help

Allina Health President and CEO Dr. Penny Wheeler

Allina Health's CEO on the statewide hospital plea for help

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