Covid Emergency To End
In just a few weeks, the COVID-19 emergency declaration will come to an end. Tammy Carlsrud with Norman Mahnomen Public Health explains. COVID tests and vaccines will still be available at your local hospital or pharmacy.
State-run COVID-19 testing sites to close this week
State-run COVID-19 testing sites in four locations around the state will close this week, marking the end of their nearly three-year run serving Minnesotans. The St. Paul Midway site will close on Friday, Jan. 27, the Duluth site will close on Jan. 28 and the sites in Brooklyn Park and at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport…
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Riverwood’s Dr. David Taylor says ‘second wind’ of Seasonal Illness still ahead
Riverwood Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Taylor shared some insights recently about the increases and impact of RSV and Influenza cases from the end of 2022 into the start of 2023, just as covid cases were beginning to wane. The non-word “tripledemic” may be trite and inaccurate, paraphrasing Dr Taylor, but it is true that three…
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MDH extends community outreach to help those most impacted by COVID-19
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has contracted with 48 community partners to help those most impacted by COVID-19 get vaccinated, improve health and recover from the effects of the disease. The contracts extend MDH’s existing pandemic work with COVID-19 Community Coordinators. The community coordinators serve communities hit hardest by COVID-19, including communities of color,…
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Minnesota Department of Health announces final offering of free COVID-19 tests
The Minnesota Department of Health today announced that four additional free at-home rapid tests are available to all Minnesota households through the state’s online ordering program. This will be the last chance for Minnesotans to get free tests before the program ends. Minnesotans will be able to order four tests per household. Order your free at-home…
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Minnesota launches new COVID-19 telehealth treatment pilot program
The State of Minnesota launched a new telehealth test-to-treat program today to ensure Minnesotans who have tested positive for COVID-19 have easy access to clinician care and therapeutic treatments that reduce their risk of serious illness or hospitalization. Beginning immediately, Minnesotans who test positive for COVID-19, either with a home test or a positive test…
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Essentia Health offers ways to keep family and friends healthy during the holidays
With the holidays in full swing, Essentia Health is reminding patients of simple steps they can take to prevent seasonal illnesses, along with the care options available if they do get sick. RSV, influenza and COVID-19 are creating a perfect storm of sickness this year, and holiday gatherings increase the potential for those illnesses to…
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Health officials urge parents to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19
The Minnesota Department of Health urges parents to vaccinate their children against CoVid-19. Vaccines are available for children as young as 6 months. Although the vaccine has been available for the under-5 group since this summer, adoption has been very low. Because immunity wanes as vaccination rates fall, it’s important for everyone who can to get…
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Riverwood Healthcare says ‘Protect yourself, others from seasonal illnesses’
This holiday season, seasonal illnesses are adding to the stress many people often feel this time of year. In addition to COVID-19, Influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory illnesses are causing widespread illness in Minnesota and across the country. “These seasonal illnesses are peaking sooner, faster, and stronger than in…
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Essentia Health relaxes visitor restrictions
Patients at Essentia Health’s hospitals are now being allowed more visitors. Essentia Health will allow two visitors per patient at a time; the visitors do not have to be the same two people on a given day. This is a slight adjustment from our current policy that requires the same two visitors per patient on…
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