Health

Health
I'm fully vaccinated and I also had COVID. Do I need a booster?
Booster shots have been authorized for all U.S. adults, and the government is urging people to get them. But what if you've already had COVID and the vaccine?
The Santa experience this year is a mix of laps, distancing
Santa is back this year, but he's asking people to be cautious as he continues to tiptoe through the pandemic. There are fewer available Santas this year, which means some are busier than ever. Where it's allowed, some malls and big-box stores are offering Santa's guests a choice of full contact or social distance.
Emergency care exceeding HCMC's capacity, military begin training in to help
Nearly four dozen doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists from the U.S. military are on the ground in Minnesota to ease the strain on the state’s health care system. Gov. Tim Walz asked the Defense Department for the help because hospitals across the state are beyond capacity caring for COVID-19 patients.
 Amid pandemic surge, one health system's workers fill different roles
To help relieve the staffing crunch, CentraCare offers employees the opportunity to fill in where they’re most needed, even if it’s well outside of their career experience.
COVID-19 spike sending Minnesota students home, closing schools
Minnesota’s rise in COVID-19 cases is prompting some school leaders to cancel classes, move students to distance learning or make changes to their safety policies.
The opioid reckoning in Minnesota
More than 75,000 people died last year in the United States from an opioid overdose. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about why more people are using opioids and what we’re learning about how to treat opioid addiction.
Minnesota expands access to COVID antibody treatment
More Minnesotans will have access to monoclonal antibody treatment to stave off hospitalization resulting from a COVID-19 infection. This announcement comes as capacity at Minnesota hospitals reaches record levels, and case counts remain high.
Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen on how to stay safe from COVID-19 this Thanksgiving
As COVID-19 case numbers surge in Minnesota, you might be wondering how to stay safe at Thanksgiving gatherings this week. Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen joined host Cathy Wurzer to answer common questions and offer her advice.
MPR's Tim Nelson on federal military doctors bolstering MN hospitals
Dozens of military medical personnel will be pulling on scrubs and stepping into patient rooms at Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis this week. MPR reporter Tim Nelson gave host Cathy Wurzer the latest on the medical response team from FEMA and the Department of Defense.