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.

Minnesota has avoided a fall COVID surge, but the flu and RSV remain
With COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths largely flat again in this week’s data — and with the weather clearly telling us that we have now entered winter — we can safely say that Minnesota has avoided the fall surge that the state experienced in the two previous years.  
Jan Malcolm reflects on tenure as health commissioner
After nine years, Jan Malcolm says she plans to retire after a long career in public service. She led the state through the COVID-19 pandemic as health commissioner.
This week’s COVID-19 data is mostly positive insofar as it shows relatively little change from the last few weeks, especially when it comes to cases and hospitalizations, and still no signs of a fall surge.  
From plateau to pendulum: COVID hospitalizations down, wastewater levels fluctuate
Last week’s rise in hospitalizations has proven to be a temporary blip, at least for now. Variants of concern remain in the headlines, and COVID continues to take the lives of an average of six Minnesotans per day, but so far there are no clear indications that a major surge has started in the state.
Uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations and a surge in RSV cases in Minnesota
COVID-19 hospitalizations are up, as are cases in some parts of Minnesota. Wastewater data in Twin Cities Metro shows COVID load increased since last week. But for children in Minnesota, RSV is of greater current concern and is stressing the capacity at some hospitals.