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.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are surging. Where are hospitals reaching capacity?
The pandemic is once again putting tens of thousands of people in the hospital in the U.S. Is it more than the health care system can handle? Find out which states are getting close to their limit.
Reporter’s notebook: Understanding COVID-19 case rates over time
On Monday, Minnesota reported 3,930 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Is that bad? Is it OK? How should we interpret those numbers? Figuring it out can be difficult. Data reporter David Montgomery shares one trick he uses to help put COVID-19 figures in context — by making a rough translation into personal risk.
Walz backs 10 p.m. curfew on in-person service at bars, eateries, curbs on events to stem COVID
“If we can break the back of this thing,” Gov. Tim Walz said of the pandemic, “we can get to the other side of this without putting people at more risk.”
FDA OKs Eli Lilly COVID-19 drug, but supplies will be limited
Eli Lilly's monoclonal antibody for COVID-19 will be available to people 65 or older, or with underlying health conditions. Supplies will be short and allocating the medicine will be a challenge.
Coronavirus FAQ: Could COVID-19 ever be considered a preexisting condition?
That's a question people are asking as the Supreme Court hears oral arguments for a case on the future of the Affordable Care Act — which guarantees coverage for preexisting conditions.
Osterholm joins Biden's COVID task force, hopes to work with Trump team
A prominent Minnesota infectious disease expert has been chosen as a member of President-elect Joe Biden’s new coronavirus advisory board. On MPR News, Dr. Michael Osterholm talked about the task force’s plan to fight the virus, the latest on vaccine development and where we are now with the pandemic.
Walz hints at targeted restrictions to curb COVID-19 spread
Gov. Tim Walz plans to announce new restrictions that target active spreaders of COVID-19 in an effort to bring the coronavirus under control. He says, however, that the restrictions would be more targeted than last spring's 51-day stay-at-home order.