Health

Health
Multiple cases of omicron virus variant detected in NYC
Health officials say multiple cases of the omicron coronavirus variant have been detected in New York, including a man who attended an anime convention in Manhattan in late November and tested positive for the variant when he returned home to Minnesota.
What do we know about the omicron variant in Minnesota?
State health officials expected to find the new omicron variant in Minnesota with an ability to detect changes in the coronavirus using gene sequencing. And on Thursday, they publicly confirmed the first case in a Minnesota resident. Here’s what we know — and don’t know — about the new variant and its impact on the state’s COVID-19 response.
What we know about the omicron variant
A new variant of the COVID-19 virus has emerged: the omicron variant. Guest host Catharine Richert talked with infectious disease specialists about what we know about the variant, what we don’t know and what it means at this stage in the pandemic. 
Two HIV outbreaks in Minnesota highlight needed awareness
With World AIDS Day held on Wednesday, Minnesota health officials are highlighting two ongoing HIV outbreaks in the state.
Reporter Catharine Richert with the latest on Minn.'s first case of omicron
Minnesota has its first reported case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Reporter Catherine Richert joined host Cathy Wurzer to share the latest details on the case from the Minnesota Department of Health.
As omicron looms, U.S. is still battling the delta wave
While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.
Latest on COVID: Omicron variant surfaces in Minnesota
A Hennepin County man who recently attended a massive anime convention in New York City tested positive. “While this is clearly something to take seriously … it is not a reason for panic,” Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said.
What you can expect when vaccines become available for kids under 5
Parents of children under 5 have to wait a little bit longer before COVID vaccines are available. In the meantime pediatricians are still working to increase vaccinations in the 5-11 age group.
Sending the right message about the omicron variant is tricky
Scientists may not know for a couple weeks yet how risky the new coronavirus variant will be to public health. But getting out front now about what is known helps dispel misinformation, they say.