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.

Poop sleuths hunt for early signs of omicron in sewage
Scientists have identified the new COVID-19 variant in wastewater in a few U.S. cities. This type of surveillance can help communities stay a step ahead of omicron's spread.
1 in 10 Americans say COVID vaccine conflicts with their religious beliefs
A new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core shows most Americans believe too many people are using religious beliefs as a reason to not get vaccinated.
In small studies in South Africa and in Germany, the results indicate a marked decrease in the ability of vaccines to neutralize this variant. But there are other findings that are encouraging.
Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against omicron
Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may protect against the new omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective.
COVID-19 pills are on the way. Here's what you need to know.
Federal officials are expected to soon greenlight new antiviral pills that could minimize the impact of infection in COVID-19 patients. Dr. David Boulware, a professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, joined host Cathy Wurzer to share what listeners should know about the new drugs.
A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up
A COVID-19 vaccine from a Canadian biotech firm has been found effective at preventing moderate to severe disease. It could soon become the first plant-based vaccine authorized for human use.
Omicron boosters are in the works, but will they be needed?
Omicron has many more mutations than previous variants of concern, a fact that raises questions about how effective existing vaccines will be against the new form of the coronavirus.
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Thanksgiving surge strengthens
State officials worried about a possible bounce from the Thanksgiving holiday, which brought many together indoors for celebrations — the kind of conditions that lead to more viral spread. That appears to be happening.