COVID-19: Coverage of the pandemic from MPR News

The latest news, resources, guides and tips to help you stay up to date on the coronavirus pandemic.

With kids in school, demand for COVID-19 testing jumps
Kids across Minnesota are heading back to school in the midst of rising COVID-19 cases. Demand for testing is increasing, too, causing the state and health care providers to expand testing options just months after they started to wind them down. 
EU takes U.S. off safe travel list; backs travel restrictions
The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses its advice in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.
Fading beacon: Why America is losing international students
Colleges and universities in the United States attract more than a million international students a year. Higher education is one of America’s top service exports, generating $42 billion in revenue. But the money spigot is closing. The pandemic, visa restrictions, rising tuition and a perception of poor safety in America have driven new international student enrollment down by a jaw-dropping 72 percent.
Hospitals hit with COVID spike just as staff and beds grow scarce
Coinciding with a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the delta variant, Minnesota hospitals are seeing the number of beds used by patients tick up. Another problem: not enough health care workers on hand.
Louisiana hospitals filled with COVID patients face Hurricane Ida
Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.
Unvaccinated pastor who almost died of COVID now preaches the importance of vaccines
Pastor Danny Reeves encouraged some members of his congregation to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but thought he didn't need to get vaccinated himself. That changed after COVID-19 almost killed him.
Opponents of COVID vaccine mandates rally outside Minnesota Capitol
A crowd of people opposed to mandates for COVID-19 vaccines and face coverings rallied Saturday. Organizers described it as a "medical freedom" rally.