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.

What to know about omicron, the new coronavirus variant
The World Health Organization has deemed it a coronavirus “variant of concern” — the first new variant of concern since delta. Here's what scientists know and what they're trying to learn.
Britain tightens COVID rules as world on alert over omicron variant
The U.K. tightened up rules Saturday on mask-wearing and on testing of international arrivals after finding two cases of the new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus that was identified just a few days ago in South Africa.
St. Paul police union sues city over vaccine mandate
The police union in St. Paul is suing the city in an effort to halt a mandate that requires city employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of the year. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced the requirement for nearly 4,000 workers last month.
Canada bans foreigners who have traveled in southern Africa
Canada says it's banning the entry of foreign nationals who have traveled through southern Africa in the last 14 days. That's due to discovery of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus that has stoked worldwide fears.
Explainer: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?
South African scientists have identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province. It’s unclear from where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has also been seen in travelers to Hong Kong and Botswana. 
New omicron variant stokes world fears, triggers travel bans
The world is confronting a new coronavirus variant, and officials have named it “omicron." A World Health Organization panel has classified it as a highly transmissible virus of concern.
South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike
A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. The WHO’s technical working group is set to meet Friday to assess the new variant and may decide whether or not to give it a name from the Greek alphabet.
Who's a hero? Some states, cities still debating hazard pay
While many workers deemed essential in their respective states have already received pandemic hazard pay or hero pay, there are thousands in places like Connecticut, Minnesota and cities around the country that are still waiting for states to distribute funds to what’s become a huge pool of heroes.