Health

Health
In pandemic, drug overdose deaths soar among Black Americans
Overdose deaths among Black Americans surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In St. Louis, deaths among Black people increased last year at three times the rate of whites, skyrocketing more than 33 percent.
What should I know about the delta variant?
The delta variant spreads more easily, but it's not clear yet whether it makes people sicker. It has been found in more than 80 countries since it was first detected in India and is responsible for 20 percent of infections in the U.S.
As the pandemic recedes, millions of workers are saying 'I quit'
People are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. A record 4 million workers quit just in April.
As cases decline, 3 Twin Cities COVID-19 testing sites are closing
Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all abating, and so is demand for COVID-19 testing. State officials are shuttering three COVID-19 testing sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington as a result.
June 24 update on COVID-19 in MN: Pandemic data solid; vaccination pace limps
Thursday’s COVID-19 data continues to paint a picture of a pandemic in check in Minnesota. New cases, active cases and hospital admission levels are trending at or near pandemic lows. Vaccinations, however, are at a baby-steps pace.
Jockeying begins for pandemic bonuses
Details are lacking on a plan for the state to pay $250 million in pandemic bonuses to some front-line workers, but that hasn’t stopped leaders in various industries from making their case for why they should get a cut.
Photos: Scenes from across America as COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift
Photographers from NPR member stations fanned out to document a nation navigating a return to normalcy. They captured moments of caution and joy, exuberance and relief, as restrictions began to lift.