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.

Scaled-back Thanksgiving plans leave turkey farmers in limbo
Millions of Americans are expected to have scaled-down celebrations amid the pandemic, heeding official warnings against travel and large indoor gatherings. That leaves anxious turkey farmers and grocers scrambling to predict what people will want on their holiday tables.
Oct. 30 update on COVID-19 in MN: Daily cases top record 3K; 18 more deaths
The newest numbers come at the end of one of the worst weeks in one of the worst months for Minnesota in the pandemic. Hospitalizations, caseloads and deaths rose steeply in October and seem poised to spill into November.
Jobless claims fall to 751,000, but new infections a threat
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 751,000, the lowest since March but a figure that remains historically high and indicates the viral pandemic is still forcing many employers to cut jobs.
Oct. 29 update on COVID-19 in MN: Daily cases shatter record; 32 more deaths
The new numbers come toward the close of a troubling October. Hospitalizations, caseloads and double-digit daily deaths are rising steeply and seem poised to spill into November.
Drinking more during the pandemic? You're not alone
MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with Dr. Joseph Lee, medical director of Hazelden Betty Ford Youth Continuum, and a 45-year member of Alcoholics Anonymous to talk about the danger of using alcohol to ease the stress of daily life and how to get help.
Walz: State plans to launch COVID-19 testing effort among young adults
Minnesotans ages 18 to 35 who are infected but don’t have any symptoms are driving much of the virus’ spread. Gov. Tim Walz says plans are underway to make testing easily available to people in that age range, a group that amounts to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans.