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 sees increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, experts say they’re not surprised
Minnesota Department of Health experts still don’t have enough data to find a clear pattern or trend for the virus. Senior epidemiologist Keeley Morris said Minnesota does tend to experience a “summer increase” and that it appeared that the number of cases happened earlier this season. 
COVID-19 hospitalizations rise for fifth consecutive week in Minnesota
Over 150 people were admitted to hospitals throughout the state with COVID-19 during the week ending July 6. Preliminary data for the week ending July 13 already shows 155 COVID-19 admissions, which is five consecutive weeks of increases.
COVID-19 trends are up and bird flu continues to increase in Minnesota
About 20 Minnesotans per day are now being admitted to the state’s hospitals with COVID-19 — more than twice the daily average just one month ago — and wastewater measurements show a weekly increase of 46 percent in COVID-19 levels.
 Floodwaters and bird flu continue to rise in Minnesota, COVID remains low
Flood waters continue to rise in Minnesota rivers. In addition to the immediate danger presented by rising and rushing waters, floods also pose other health risks. Floodwater can contain downed power lines, human and livestock waste, other hazardous waste, and other debris that may not be visible.
Minnesota health officials keeping a close eye on COVID uptick
Nationally, emergency room visits and hospitalizations tied to COVID-19 have climbed recently. A key Minnesota health official spoke with MPR News on the state of infections here.
Cows infected by bird flu in Minnesota, but human threat very low
The bird flu outbreak has impacted 17 million poultry across 26 states to date so far this year, 1.7 million of those affected poultry are in Minnesota. Threat to human health is very low, with only four known cases of human infection so far this year.
State agencies allowed pandemic cash to go to ineligible Minnesotans, Legislative Auditor finds 
The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor says the Department of Labor and Industry did not comply with some state requirements for the Frontline Worker Pay Program leading to many ineligible individuals getting paid pandemic-era funds.
What to make of the new COVID variants, FLiRT
Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, returned to All Things Considered to speak with host Ailsa Chang about what the new variants could bring.