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.

A tantalizing clue to why omicron is spreading so quickly
A new study from the University of Hong Kong offers preliminary information that could explain why this new coronavirus variant may be more transmissible.
How nurses in greater Minnesota are faring as COVID surges
Health care professionals in greater Minnesota met virtually Wednesday to discuss the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective parts of the state. Andrea Roberts, president of the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, told host Cathy Wurzer more about the pandemic’s impact on nurses and rural communities.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: State tops 10K deaths; active cases ebbing
The latest data suggests the surge from Thanksgiving gatherings is subsiding. Still, the state crossed a difficult milestone Wednesday, tallying more than 10,000 pandemic deaths. Hospitalizations remain high.
Answering your COVID questions for the holidays
The 46 new coronavirus deaths recorded in Minnesota on Tuesday bring the state’s death toll from COVID-19 to nearly 10,000. The pandemic isn’t over. As new strains appear and guidelines for vaccines, boosters and social behavior change, MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with infectious disease experts who answer your questions.
Everything you need to know about rapid COVID-19 tests
As people gear up for holiday gatherings, experts have recommended using rapid tests before get-togethers as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — but the tests are hard to find and expensive. The director of clinical virology at Mayo Clinic told host Cathy Wurzer why.
Where things stand with the monthly expanded child tax credit payments
Because an extension of the child tax credit is tied in with President Joe Biden's Build Back Better social spending plan, it remains unclear whether the monthly payments will continue beyond this year.