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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.

More omicron cases pop up as world rushes to learn more about variant

More omicron cases pop up as world rushes to learn more about variant

Cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in countries on opposite sides of the world Sunday and many governments rushed to close their borders even as scientists cautioned that it's not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versions of the virus.
by The Associated Press

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What to know about omicron, the new coronavirus variant

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.
by Michaeleen Doucleff, Joel Rose and Nicole Hernandez

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Britain tightens COVID rules as world on alert over omicron variant

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.
by The Associated Press

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St. Paul police union sues city over vaccine mandate

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.
by The Associated Press

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Canada bans foreigners who have traveled in southern Africa

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.
by The Associated Press

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Explainer: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?

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. 
by The Associated Press

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New omicron variant stokes world fears, triggers travel bans

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.
by The Associated Press

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South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike

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.
by The Associated Press

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