Coronavirus Archives - Page 6 of 49

COVID-19 Hospitalizations at Their Lowest Level in Wisconsin

June 1, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 virus are at their lowest recorded levels in Wisconsin, a 92% drop from the peak less than seven months ago. The Wisconsin Hospital Association said that as of Monday, there were 186 people reported as hospitalized statewide due to the virus. The previous low was 192 people on April 2, the first…

Governor Walz Launches ‘Your Shot to Summer’ Campaign to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations

May 27, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, Governor Walz announced a vaccine incentive campaign called “Your Shot to Summer” to encourage Minnesotans to get their COVID-19 vaccine by July 1. The governor’s office said in a Thursday news release, “The first 100,000 Minnesotans who get their first shot between May 27 and June 30 will be able to choose the reward…

COVID-19 Deaths Surpass 7,000 in Wisconsin

May 27, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The number of COVID-19 deaths have now surpassed 7,000 in Wisconsin, but data that shows the number of coronavirus cases declining and more people being vaccinated offered some hope in the yearlong pandemic. The state Department of Health on Wednesday reported five new deaths and 330 new cases of COVID-19, which has claimed the lives of…

Essentia Health Eases Visitor Restrictions

May 27, 2021

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced Thursday morning that it is moving to ease visitation guidelines as COVID-19 positivity rates decrease in the community. Starting today, two adult visitors per patient will be allowed in Essentia clinic and hospital settings, including emergency departments. Some surgical and procedural spaces may have special instructions that will be communicated to patients prior to…

St. Louis County Continues Vaccine Clinic, Information at Duluth Transportation Center

Public health officials say they've vaccinated about 80 people over their three visits there.

May 26, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Louis County is continuing to find success with its vaccine clinic at the Duluth Transportation Center downtown. Public health officials say they’ve vaccinated about 80 people over their three visits there. They add people coming in have been a variety of different ages and living situations. It’s been a mix of people who may have trouble scheduling…

Duluth Library to Open with Masks, City Hall to Open Without

The Duluth Public Safety Building and Comfort Systems is also opening back up to the public Tuesday.

May 26, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The City Of Duluth has announced most of their public buildings will reopen to the public on June 1st, and while most things will be business as usual, don’t expect to ditch your masks at the library. The doors to the main Duluth Public Library will open again to the public one June 7th after finishing construction, and…

Minnesota Researchers Develop Wafer as Potential New Vaccine Delivery Method

May 26, 2021

KQDS Staff,

(courtesy: Polymeric Biomaterials Lab, University of Minnesota via Fox9) (FOX 9) – Researchers believe a newly developed wafer could be the vaccine-delivery device of the future. A University of Minnesota professor and a Mayo Clinic professor were part of the team of researchers that created a polymer wafer that can deliver and preserve vaccines when placed under the tongue. In a release…

Minnesota Reports 256 New COVID-19 Cases, 11 More Deaths Tuesday

May 25, 2021

Site Staff,

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota Department of Health reported 256 new COVID-19 cases and 11 more deaths Tuesday. According to officials, the state has seen 599,477 cases and 7,381 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have continued to fall, with 96 patients in the ICU and 272 in the hospital but not the ICU, as of Tuesday. …

Moderna Says Its COVID-19 Shot Works in Kids as Young as 12

May 25, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP) – Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine strongly protects kids as young as 12. The company released the preliminary findings Tuesday based on testing on more than 3,700 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States. Earlier this month, the U.S. and Canada authorized another vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech to be used starting at age 12. Moderna intends to submit…

European Sailors Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations at St. Lukes

May 24, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s opened its doors to European sailors from the ship MV Isolda, to receive the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. A Bulgarian sailor who has been in the business for 27 years, received his shot today and spoke of its importance. He said as the crew sails internationally, getting the vaccine was a priority as they’ve…

Pace of COVID-19 Vaccinations Picks up in Minnesota

May 24, 2021

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s coronavirus vaccination rate has accelerated after several weeks of sluggish inoculation numbers. The state pace remained above 40,000 shots a day on Sunday, a level not previously seen for more than two weeks. Data shows a big increase in first vaccine doses which now average nearly 18,000 a day, up from about 10,000 a…

DHS Official: Herd Immunity May Come This Fall in Wisconsin

May 23, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A key state health department leader is hedging on whether Wisconsin can attain COVID-19 herd immunity by mid-2021. Department of Health Services Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk has previously said that 70% of Wisconsin’s population would need to be vaccinated to attain herd immunity and the state could reach that benchmark by July. But vaccination…

Gone Forever? Superior Police, Fire Chiefs Evolve Mask Policies For Departments

While Superior police officers will wear masks when wanted by the public, masks may be the future for Superior firefighters under certain circumstances.

May 20, 2021

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior’s police and fire chiefs are thankful to see the faces again of their men and women in uniform. But masks aren’t completely leaving while on the job in the community, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. The city of Superior and its employees are no longer mandated to wear a mask. But Mayor Jim Paine is…

St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Specialist Encouraging Teen COVID-19 Vaccinations

According to St. Luke's, Demand for Teen COVID-19 Vaccinations Has Been High Since Approval was Given

May 20, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – Although fewer children and teens have been infected with COVID-19, they can still become infected and also spread the virus to others. Local infectious disease experts with St. Luke’s are encouraging parents to bring their teens aged 12-15 in for the COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Sherry Johnson, Infectious Disease Specialist at St Luke’s, says parents are coming in…

Douglas County: Fully Vaccinated People Can Resume Indoor, Outdoor Activities Without Masks

May 18, 2021

Site Staff,

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – Douglas County Public Health Officials announced Tuesday morning that fully vaccinated individuals may resume indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. Exceptions to the new guidance include any places where masks are required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations including local businesses and workplaces. According to a…

DECC Vaccinations Continue as 700 More Receive Moderna Shot

May 16, 2021

CJ Baumgartner,

DULUTH, Minn.– As Minnesota continues to try and reach the 70 percent vaccinated mark needed for herd immunity, the jabs in the arms continued over at the DECC on Sunday afternoon. The DECC was anticipating about 700 people to stop by for either their first or second dose of Moderna. While some people made appointments to come in, anyone is…

Wessman Vaccine Site Opens to 12 and Up

May 14, 2021

Natalie Noury,

SUPERIOR, Wis.–With the Pfizer vaccine now being available to children ages 12 and up, more locations are opening its doors to give the vaccine to children. The Wessman Vaccine Site in Superior has been giving vaccines since April 13th, but staff at the site say they are seeing even more people come in due to the recent age change on…

Minnesota’s Statewide Mask Mandate Is No More

May 14, 2021

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s statewide mask mandate has officially been removed. Friday, the Minnesota Executive Council approved Gov. Tim Walz’s new executive order rescinding the statewide indoor mask mandate. The council also extended Walz’s emergency powers for another 30 days. The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that fully vaccinated people can go…

City of Duluth Will No Longer Enforce Citywide Mask Mandate Beginning Today

May 14, 2021

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced Friday morning that following Governor Tim Walz’s new mask guidance for the state of Minnesota, the city is taking steps to end its citywide mask mandate. As of Friday morning, city officials say they will no longer enforce the citywide mask ordinance. “Beginning today, the City will no longer enforce the mask…

COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children 12-15 Years Old

May 13, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn.– With the recent approval from the CDC allowing children as young as 12 to be vaccinated, Northland healthcare providers are getting even busier as more people come in to get the shots. Children have always dreaded shots and vaccinations, until now. It was finally announced that the COVID-19 vaccine is available for kids ages 12-15, which means, they…

Walz to Provide Update on Mask Mandate After CDC Guidance

May 13, 2021

KQDS Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he’ll provide an update about the state’s mask mandate later Thursday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that fully vaccinated people can go without masks indoors. “This is exciting news! The vaccines are working. Gov. Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health are reviewing the CDC’s announcement and…

CDC to Ease up Guidance on Indoor Mask-Wearing

May 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places. That’s according to a person briefed on the announcement, expected later Thursday at the White House. The new guidance will still call for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like…

Vaccinations of 12- To 15-Year-Olds Begins in Wisconsin

May 13, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Coronavirus vaccinations for 12- to 15-year-olds will begin Thursday in Wisconsin after an advisory committee for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on the inoculations for younger children. “The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announces that children 12-15 years old are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinations…

Essentia Health to Begin Vaccinating Children Aged 12-15

May 12, 2021

Site Staff,

(courtesy: Essentia Health) DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health says it will soon begin vaccinating 12-15-year-olds with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This follows the announcement on Monday that the Food and Drug Administration cleared the expanded use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine citing evidence that the shot worked well in that age range. Essentia Health officials say shots are expected to begin…

CDC Mulls Advice for Pfizer Shots Age 12 and up

May 12, 2021

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK — Federal health advisers are meeting to issue recommendations on how to vaccinate kids as young as 12 with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. This week, the Food and Drug Administration cleared the expanded use of Pfizer’s shots, citing evidence the shots worked as well in those 12 to 15 years old as those 16 and older. Kids in…

St. Louis County Public Health Prepares to Vaccinate Teens Aged 12-15

Vaccinations Would Begin Once the ACIP Votes to Move Forward with Pfizer Vaccinations for Teens Aged 12-15

KQDS Staff,

(FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce Thursday a timeline to end all the COVID-19 restrictions in Minnesota, his office said in a news release. Walz will give a live statewide address at noon, followed by two Q&As with reporters at 1 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. According to Walz’s office, the governor plans to wind down Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions…

Michigan Lifts Outdoor Mask Requirement for Crowds Under 100

May 5, 2021

The Associated Press,

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan late Tuesday lifted an outdoor mask requirement except in gatherings of at least 100 people and in organized contact sports and said teen athletes no longer must undergo regular COVID-19 testing if they are fully vaccinated. Under a revised pandemic order that takes effect Thursday, the state also eased caps on outdoor event sizes and said vaccinated…

St. Louis County, DTA Open Vaccine Clinic at Downtown Transit Center

Health officials hoped to bring the shots to more people, and answer questions to help stop any vaccine hesitancy.

May 5, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- On Tuesday and Wednesday Duluthians could not only catch a bus at the Duluth Downtown Transit Center — but also get a COVID vaccine there if they wanted. St. Louis County partnered up with the Duluth Transit Authority to open up a clinic at the DTC, the latest in their vaccine outreach efforts. Health officials say they have…

Biden Aims for Vaccinating 70% Of Adult Americans by July 4

May 4, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Joe Biden is setting a new vaccination goal to deliver at least one dose to 70% of adult Americans by July 4. This comes as the administration pushes to make it easier for people to get shots and to bring the country closer to normalcy. The new goal, which also includes fully…

FDA Expected to Ok Pfizer Vaccine for Teens Within Week

May 4, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 by next week, setting up shots for many before the beginning of the next school year. That’s according to a federal official and a person familiar with the process. The FDA action would be followed by a meeting…

US Extends Face-Mask Requirement on Planes Until September

May 3, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is extending the requirement that travelers wear face masks on planes, trains, and buses. The rule was set to expire May 11, but the Transportation Security Administration said Friday that it will extend the requirement through Sept. 13. Children under 2 and people with certain disabilities are exempted. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration says…

COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Trend Up in Itasca County as Vaccine Rollout Continues

Itasca County Public Health Division Urges All Residents to Research and Receive Their COVID-19 Vaccination

April 29, 2021

Brett Scott,

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Itasca County Public Health and area residents are reflecting on the gratitude of science after surpassing the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Health Department reports new cases of COVID-19 to continue to rise in Itasca County, especially among residents aged 30 – 50, and school-aged children. As of Thursday, April 29, in the…

Minnesota Department of Health Reports 22 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday

April 28, 2021

Site Staff, KQDS Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,514 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 572,025 in the state. Health officials also reported 22 news deaths bringing the death total to 7,113 in Minnesota. The 22 newly reported deaths included four long-term care residents and one person in their 30s. According…

Wisconsin Reports Just 0.03% Of Vaccinated People Get Virus

April 28, 2021

The Associated Press,

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin health officials say that only 0.03% of people who have been fully vaccinated for the coronavirus have tested positive for COVID-19. The Wisconsin State Journal reports Wednesday that the number of so-called breakthrough cases was just 605 out of 1.8 million people who are fully vaccinated. The state’s number of breakthrough cases is higher than the…

Walz to Announce Additional Easing Of Some COVID-19 Restrictions Within the Next Week

April 27, 2021

KQDS Staff,

RICHFIELD, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz hinted Tuesday that he may be easing more of Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions soon as the state appears to be coming down from a spring surge in infections and hospitalizations. He told reporters to expect an announcement later this week or early next week. When it comes to dialing back restrictions, the state’s next move…

CDC Says Fully Vaccinated Americans Can Now Go Outside Without a Mask

April 27, 2021

The Associated Press,

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials say fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers. And unvaccinated people can drop face coverings in some cases, too. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the updated guidance Tuesday. Previously the CDC had been advising that people should wear…

First-Grader in Southwestern Minnesota Dies of COVID-19

April 27, 2021

The Associated Press,

MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) – State health officials say a young child from southwestern Minnesota has died of COVID-19 complications. Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Williams says the child, who died Sunday, was a first-grader at Park Side Elementary. Williams says crisis team members will be on hand at the school to support those in need. According to the school district,…

St. Luke’s Seeing Rise in Middle Aged Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Hospitilizations Declined in February and March, but Dr. Andrew Thompson Says the Rate is Beginning to Rise Again

April 27, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – A recent report released by the CDC shows nearly eight percent, or five million Americans have not received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Andrew Thompson, has mixed reaction to the new data. Thompson says while the number is somewhat cause for concern, 92 percent of adults who have received…

SOS Messages, Panic as Virus Breaks India’s Health System

April 26, 2021

The Associated Press,

NEW DELHI (AP) — India has set another record for daily coronavirus infections for the fifth day in a row, at more than 350,000. On Monday, the country reported more than 2,800 deaths, with roughly 117 Indians succumbing to the disease every hour — and experts say even those figures are likely an undercount. The new infections brought India’s total to more…

FDA Inspection Found Problems at Factory Making J&J Vaccine

April 21, 2021

The Associated Press,

(AP) – U.S. regulators say the Baltimore factory contracted to make Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine was dirty, didn’t follow proper manufacturing procedures, and had poorly trained staff. The problems resulted in contamination of a batch of material that was going to be put in the shots. The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday released a 13-page report detailing findings…