Health Archives - Page 10 of 36

U of M Proposing New Academic Health Center Building in Duluth Medical District

The University is asking the state legislature for $12 million to start designing the standalone building close to both Essentia and St. Luke's Hospitals.

January 27, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- A new University of Minnesota academic health center could be a part of the skyline of Duluth’s medical district, with legislative approval being the green light for design work to start this summer. “Duluth has always provided really great healthcare and the challenges that exist now to keep people in their community to be served really that’s one…

Essentia Joins Nationwide Study to Test Medications for COVID-19

January 24, 2022

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health has joined a nationwide study to evaluate repurposed medications in the search for effective, safe treatments for mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Repurposed medications are those already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for other indications. “We are very excited and fortunate to have this important clinical trial available to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Rajesh…

UMD Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday

January 24, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD is offering a vaccine clinic to the campus community and beyond this week. The university has partnered with Saint Louis County Public Health for past vaccine clinics where the turnouts have exceeded expectations. This time around they will have Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson shots on hand, whether you want to come in for your…

Sen. Smith Promotes Bipartisan Idea To Keep Public Health And Social Service Workers Incentivized To Stay

January 20, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Tina Smith is teaming up with another Democrat and two Republicans to push legislation that would encourage more people to stay in the public health industry. The lawmakers say that more people are leaving certain sectors of the field, causing a shortage of much-needed employees. The director of the CDC says America is short about 80,000…

Cloquet Follows Duluth in 30-Day Mask Mandate

January 19, 2022

Natalie Noury,

CLOQUET, Minn. — It’s been nearly a week after Duluth mandated masks around the city, and a neighboring town is now doing the same. Last week the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital was “crisis planning”, for a wave of covid patients, and now this week, they were sending letters to the mayor supporting a mask mandate. The Community Memorial Hospital in…

St. Mary’s Medical Center to Be Demolished When Vision Northland Completed

The redevelopment will be funded with $12 million in state dollars and headed by SEH local consulting firm.

January 18, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As the new Vision Northland building for Essentia Health goes up in Duluth the decades-old St. Mary’s Hospital will come down. Essentia Health says the Medical Center will be demolished on East Third Street after the new building is ready for care in the third quarter of 2023. The oldest part of St. Mary’s hospital is almost 100…

The Northland’s Largest Baby Shower is Happening Now

Donate Now Through Monday, January 31, 2022

January 17, 2022

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – Life 97.3 and St. Luke’s Hospital have partnered again to throw the 4th annual Northland’s Largest Baby Shower. Throughout the month of January, Life 97.3 is encouraging its audience to donate typical baby shower items that will ultimately benefit a number of organizations spread across the Northland that are helping families in need. Below is a list…

Cedar and Stone Sauna Offering Opportunities to Re-Charge this Winter

January 16, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-of-a-kind local sauna experience hit its 2 year anniversary this month and continues to help people decompress, reduce stress, and feel rejuvenated on the shores of Lake Superior. The Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna in Canal Park is a traditional Nordic sauna inspired from Duluth’s Finnish history. It’s an indoor wood fired sauna that runs between…

Fans React To New UMD Proof Of Vaccine To Attend Games

January 15, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Fans have gotten used to wearing masks here at Amsoil arena, but in a few weeks, they’re going to have to bring one extra thing to allow them to come support the Bulldogs. Friday, the President of the University Of Minnesota System announced a new temporary change across their 5 campuses — proof of vaccination or a…

UMD Continues Mask Requirement, Students Mixed on Duluth’s New Mandate

January 14, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

DULUTH, Minn. – While the City of Duluth is resuming its mask mandate Friday evening, mask requirements are nothing new for students, faculty, and staff at UMD. People have been asked to wear one, regardless of vaccination status, inside campus buildings since early August. For some students, wearing a mask elsewhere in the city will help keep everyone safe from the…

UMD Students Signing Petition to Protest Vaccine Form for Enrollment

January 14, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

DULUTH, Minn. – The start of the spring semester at UMD saw one recent student begin an effort to end the vaccine requirement to attend classes. Lucius Lafromboise is protesting against the form required by the University of Minnesota system that identifies a person’s vaccination status, or list a medical or religious exemption against getting one. He chose not to fill…

Hospitals in Carlton County Meet to ‘Crisis Plan’ as COVID Continues Surging

Crisis planning is to prepare the hospitals, and make a course of action in case they become overwhelmed and have to send patients elsewhere.

January 14, 2022

Natalie Noury,

CLOQUET, Minn. — Doctors from the Community Memorial Hospital met on Thursday to “crisis plan”, concerned that the latest surge of the Omicron variant might overwhelm medical facilities. Crisis planning is to prepare the hospitals, and make a course of action in case they become overwhelmed and have to send patients elsewhere. But with so many medical facilities bogged down…

University Of Minnesota System Announces Temporary Proof of Vaccination

January 14, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — The president of the University of Minnesota System announced a new temporary change to how they are allowing people into events with more than 200 people. The university system, across the 5 campuses in the state, will be requesting proof of vaccination or a negative test 72 hours prior to the event in order to attend. This…

Mayor Larson Announces 30-Day Duluth Mask Mandate; Restaurant Assoc. Not Thrilled

January 13, 2022

Natalie Noury, Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — Just days after the Duluth City Council was unable to unanimously vote to pass a new city-wide mask mandate, and after councilors agreed Mayor Emily Larson should take the lead on emergency orders of that kind, Larson stepped to the podium Thursday afternoon announcing just that — a new mask mandate for the next 30 days effective…

St. Louis County’s Size, Local Governments Within County Make It Unlikely For Mask Mandate

The only mask mandate within the county has been inside county buildings.

January 13, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County’s Public Health Director, Amy Westbrook, spoke in support of Duluth’s mask mandate Thursday, and the county released a statement on its take on a possible county wide mask mandate. Westbrook, along with Essentia’s Chief Medical Officer, pointed to growing concerns over hospitalization rates. Out of the 342 hospital beds at Essentia in Duluth, 58…

Wisconsin Healthcare Systems Under Pressure

January 13, 2022

Mason Kroll,

Wisconsin healthcare systems are still under pressure due to the increase of COVID cases and staffing shortages. In Wisconsin, 95 percent of intensive and intermediate care beds are currently in use, and 13,000 thousand new cases were reported in the state. To provide relief to Wisconsin hospitals, since October, DHS has recruited 626 new healthcare workers, and the state is…

UMD Professor Talks Open Winter Waters Of Lake Superior

January 12, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Scientists continue to study the effects of climate change on Lake Superior the big lake is still showing plenty of open water in Duluth. While we have experienced a mild winter so far, experts say a lot can change with the temperatures, which can quickly add ice cover to Lake Superior and help scientists understand what the…

Douglas County Public Health Reports Rapid Rise in New COVID-19 Infections

In the Past 30 Days, 11 Residents Have Been Hospitalized with COVID-19 in Douglas County

January 12, 2022

Brett Scott,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Douglas County Public Health is reporting a steady rise in new COVID-19 cases, with reports coming from PCR and rapid testing. Throughout the month of December, the health department reported 439 cases. In the first two weeks of 2022, the department has reported 349 new cases. Officials say the virus is spreading throughout all ages, however, more…

Medial Professionals Tell How to Keep Your Skin Healthy During Winter Months

January 12, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Even though it’s a little warmer today the cold can still pay a huge toll on the health of your skin and professionals remind us how important it is to cover up. We get some of the harshest winters in the US up here, and the frigid temps can dry our skin out while also creating long…

Red Cross Blood Crisis Continues in the Northland

January 12, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — As the blood shortage crisis continues throughout the country, the Northland Red Cross chapter is doing what they can to keep donation numbers up. Since the pandemic, donation levels have decreased by 10%. And while getting donors has been a challenge, finding volunteers to work drives has also been hard. But now the Red Cross is promoting…

Proctor Schools, Essentia Health Host Student Career Fair

January 12, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

PROCTOR, Minn. – Students at Proctor High and A.I. Jedlicka Middle schools got the chance to learn more about the various job opportunities the medical field has to offer. Proctor Pathways and Essentia Health showcased nearly two dozen different departments, ranging from nursing to athletic training to sterile processing tech. Organizers say this is the first time since the start…

Emergency Mask Mandate Fails to Pass with Unanimous Vote By Duluth City Council

The Council voted 7-2 on the mandate, with Councilors Roz Randorf and Derek Medved voting against it.

January 10, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- There will be no indoor mask mandate in the City of Duluth, as the emergency ordinance failed to garner the unanimous vote needed by City Council Monday night. The discussion about a mask mandate turned into a discussion about the council’s powers and whether or not it is their job to manage how the city navigates the pandemic….

Safe Heating Tips as Temperatures Drop Below Zero

January 10, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Recent deadly building fires in New York City and Philadelphia are bringing extra attention to safe home heating practices. The Superior Fire Department says heating equipment is one of the top causes for fires in the fall and winter. By taking several action steps before turning out equipment, such as having a professional check it and using space heaters…

Hospitals Talk About Reasoning Behind Endorsing Now-Failed Duluth Mask Mandate

January 10, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health and St. Luke’s had a united front when it came to endorsing the now-failed mask mandate proposal that went up for a vote on Monday during Duluth city council’s meeting. One Essentia doctor who works in the emergency department says she knows a new possible mask mandate seems sudden, but explained that hospital beds are…

Council to Vote on New Emergency Mask Mandate Monday

January 9, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — A second city wide Duluth mask mandate will be front and center for a vote at Monday night’s first city council meeting of 2022, with a hot topic to start the new year for sure. If Thursday night’s tense agenda session says anything about the mask mandate topic, this proposed emergency declaration isn’t going to be a…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

January 9, 2022

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, in an indication of the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials said the figure demonstrates the increasing spread of the omicron variant and expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. Minnesota’s previous…

Duluth City Councilors Have Tense First Debate About New Mask Mandate

January 7, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The mask mandate debate is firing back up in Duluth and being fueled by Councilor Terese Tomanek. But the push for a mandate was not received well Thursday evening at the agenda session by the majority of the council after some felt surprised by the topic, which wasn’t on the list of items to discuss ahead of…

WI Breaks Record For Daily COVID Cases, State Hopeful With Antiviral Pill Distribution

January 6, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin just broke a record as it tallied up more than 11,000 new COVID cases on Thursday, the highest single-day total ever for this state. Just on Wednesday, the state saw roughly 10,000 new cases. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says the daily rate is 200% higher than it was just two months ago. The state…

Keeping Pets Warm as Arctic Temps Return

January 6, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

DULUTH, Minn. – The return of arctic temperatures and wind chills means added attention is needed to keep pets safe from the cold. The Duluth Fire Department says despite their furry appearance and coat of hair, many pets are just like humans and do not like being in the cold for long periods of time. They recommend people watch for signs…

Mask Mandates Return To Twin Cities; No Plans In Motion For Twin Ports

January 5, 2022

Dan Hanger,

Duluth and Superior mayors told FOX 21 Wednesday there are no immediate plans to bring back a mask mandate for their cities after Minneapolis and St. Paul both announced indoor mask mandates returning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s office released the following statement: “The City is tracking the infection and spread of COVID-19 in Duluth,…

Sen. Tina Smith Applauds Bi-Partisan Passage Of ‘No Surprises Act’ Involving Emergency Medical Bills

January 5, 2022

Dan Hanger,

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith is applauding lawmakers on both sides of the isle in D.C. for a new law now in effect to stop surprise medical bills for most emergency care. The “No Surprises Act” went into effect Jan. 1. Smith said Americans have faced unexpected medical bills for years after seeking emergency care ranging from hundreds to tens of…

Preparing Christmas Trees for Proper Disposal

January 4, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

DULUTH, Minn. – The end of the Christmas holiday season means people with live trees will need a place to properly dispose of them. The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is reminding people that they cannot be part of curbside pickup. They will need to be dropped off at one of 11 locations in Duluth and Carlton County. Environmental Program Coordinator…

Superior School District Ends Mask Mandate For 4K-6th Grade Classrooms

January 4, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Masks are no longer required in the Superior school district. The mandate, which was only in place for students in 4k through sixth grade and the staff and visitors who were around them, was lifted on Monday when the holiday break ended. The superintendent, Amy Starzecki, said that there has been a decline in cases within the…

Push Continues to Get Children, Teens Vaccinated for COVID

January 4, 2022

Rusty Mehlberg,

DULUTH, Minn. – The FDA’s recent approval for COVID vaccine booster shots for kids ages 12 through 15 has local healthcare providers encouraged that parents will take their kids to get them. Sherry Johnson, a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Infectious Disease at St Luke’s says they have seen a steady demand for kids’ vaccine shots during the recent winter break. She hopes…

Walz Expects COVID-19 Case Spike as Minnesota Schools Reopen

Walz told Minnesota Public Radio on Monday that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned.

January 3, 2022

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz says coronavirus cases due to the fast-spreading omicron variant will most likely race through Minnesota’s public schools in the next few weeks now that students are back in class. Walz told Minnesota Public Radio on Monday that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned. He noted that modeling by the Mayo…

FDA Expands Pfizer Boosters for More Teens as Omicron Surges

January 3, 2022

The Associated Press,

UNDATED (AP) -The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday allowed extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and the FDA says they’re also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds. The FDA also said everyone eligible for a Pfizer…

Focus on Fitness, Mental Health for New Year’s Resolutions at Svalja Yoga

The yoga studio offers a diverse array of weekly classes including strength-based workouts, cardio-based classes like piyo, and stress relief programs.

January 2, 2022

Mason Kroll,

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s time to kick off those new years resolutions, and for those who have yoga on your list, Svalja is the place to start. The yoga studio in Duluth offers a diverse array of weekly classes including strength-based workouts, cardio-based classes like piyo, and stress relief programs. The in-depth training and workshops provided are intended to assist people…

Be Wary of Frostbite, Hypothermia while Ringing in New Year, Firefighters Say

Frostbite can set in in less than 10 minutes on exposed skin, so emergency officials say layers are your friend in the cold.

December 30, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- With temperatures dipping in and out of subzero the past few days, Duluth’s firefighters are telling people to be extra careful in the cold to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite can set in in less than 10 minutes on exposed skin, so emergency officials say layers are your friend in the cold. But it’s still good to recognize…

Wisconsin Tops 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths

December 30, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – COVID-19 has now claimed the lives of more than 10,000 Wisconsin residents. The Wisconsin State Journal reported that state health officials counted 34 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the death total since the pandemic began to 10,014. The state tracked 5,748 COVID-19 deaths last year and 4,266 so far in 2021. Nearly three-quarters of people who died…

New Year, New Gym Memberships

December 29, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Gyms are prepared for a surge in clients, knowing that the New Year resolutions have been made, and January first tends to be the days that those start. One gym in Duluth, XMT-3 Training isn’t your ordinary gym, it specializes in one-on-one personal training that focus on workouts that promote your overall health, and are tailored to…

MN Nurses Association Voices Displeasure Over New COVID-19 Guidelines

December 29, 2021

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KVRR) – The head of the Minnesota Nurses Association is ripping new CDC guidelines that shorten the recommended COVID-19 quarantine periods. Under the new recommendations, vaccinated health care workers who are exposed no longer must isolate. M-N-A president Mary Turner called the new policy a “disaster.” Turner said,” It may be good for businesses’ bottom lines to…

Antibody Treatments Being Given To Counteract Effects of Omicron Variant

December 28, 2021

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Thousands of people who have had covid in the Twin Ports, have also received what are called Monoclonal Antibody Treatments from Essentia and St. Luke’s. The antibody treatments have been around for over a year now, and are given through an IV infusion. St. Luke’s has been giving this to around 30 covid patients weekly, but now…

Sen. Klobuchar Hosts Discussion on Alzheimer’s Funding, Care, and Research

December 28, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar hosted a panel of six guests to discuss the topic of Alzheimer’s in America. Among the individual topics discussed included education of the debilitating disease, long-term insurance, support for caregivers, funding to pay living wages for healthcare workers, and reducing the stigma surrounding the disease. Many of the panelists that brought…

Grim Milestone: Minnesota Tops One Million COVID Cases Since March of 2020

December 28, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota has topped a million cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began in March of 2020. The state Department of Health confirmed 4,155 new cases, lifting the total number of infections to 1,000,361. The figures released Monday do not include cases from the holiday weekend, which are expected to be updated Tuesday. Minnesota’s case count includes…

CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation, Quarantine For All

December 27, 2021

Dan Hanger,

NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. health officials are cutting isolation restrictions for Americans who test positive for the coronavirus and shortening the time that close contacts have to quarantine. People with the virus can leave isolation after five days, down from 10 days. People exposed to the virus can also leave quarantine after five days. The Centers for Disease Control…

Active Adventures: New Programs at YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown

December 24, 2021

Ken Slama,

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- In this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s Ken Slama tours the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown and learns about the programs they offer in the upcoming year. Categories: Active Adventures, Community, Health, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Duluth Area Family YMCA, YMCA

Judge Halts Vaccine Mandate For St. Paul City Employees

December 23, 2021

Dan Hanger,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A judge has temporarily halted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for St. Paul city employees. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that Ramsey County District Judge Robert Awsumb issued a temporary restraining order blocking the mandate on Thursday. The mandate was supposed to go into effect at the end of December. The order comes after St….

US Adds Merck Pill as 2nd Easy-to-Use Drug Against COVID-19

December 23, 2021

Arman Rahman,

(Merck & Co. via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. regulators have authorized a second pill against COVID-19, an antiviral drug from Merck that may help blunt the wave of infections driven by the omicron variant. The Food and Drug Administration granted the drug emergency use Thursday for adults with early COVID-19 who face the highest risks of hospitalization. It comes…

Blood Donors Needed to Avoid Delays in Patient Care

The American Red Cross Blood Supply at Historically Low Levels, Continuing to Decline

December 22, 2021

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – The American Red Cross blood supply is at historically low levels and it continues to decline. Officials with the American Red Cross say if more donors don’t come out to give, hospitals may be forced to delay care to patients relying on blood transfusion. The Red Cross is announcing all who come to give through Jan. 2…

Itasca County Health Officials Urge Caution Ahead of Holiday Gatherings

December 21, 2021

Brett Scott,

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Interest in new COVID-19 vaccinations is slowing in Itasca County. Leaders with Itasca County Public Health say roughly 60 percent of eligible residents in the county are vaccinated, a number that hasn’t grown as of late. Four percent of vaccinated residents in the county have still tested positive for COVID-19. The Public Health Dept. is reporting…