Health

Healthcare Heroes Celebrated with Handpainted Sign Outside St. Luke’s

Duluth Street Art Initiative Made a 4-ft by 8-ft sign in front of the St Luke's Clinic on East First Street.

DULUTH, Minn.- Healthcare workers looking out the windows of the buildings on the St. Luke’s Campus will now be treated to a big sign reading “Thank You Frontline Heroes,” put together by local artists and local officials. “When they’re laying down that kind of sacrifice, I think it’s important for them to know we’re here, and we care,” said Minnesota…

National Bank of Commerce Donates 8,000 N95 Masks to Duluth Hospitals

St. Luke's and Essentia Each Received 4,000 N95 Masks Thanks to National Bank of Commerce

DULUTH, Minn. – With a nationwide shortage of N95 masks, and states told they must find supplies themselves, it’s becoming more difficult by the day to obtain a stockpile for Northland hospitals. On Wednesday, National Bank of Commerce gifted St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth a supply of 4,000 N95 masks for healthcare workers on the front lines to utilize. Another…

Duluth Pastry Chef Spreading Sweetness, Safety with Delivery of Cakes, Masks

Sweet Exchange delivery is going contactless with orders of cakes and cupcakes, along with a free handmade mask.

DULUTH, Minn.- A local pastry chef who was hoping to open a new storefront in Downtown Duluth is continuing to bring sweetness to people, with an added bonus. The owner of Sweet Exchange is taking phone orders for contactless delivery of cakes and cupcakes. Think Ding Dong Ditch with a cake waiting on your doorstep. She’s also handmaking cloth masks…

West Duluth Sewing and Design Selling Handmade Masks to Stay Afloat

The sewing and alterations business is selling masks for $6, the only business they are getting right now with proms and weddings cancelled.

DULUTH, Minn.- At first, West Duluth Sewing and Design’s foray into making masks started with a donation. Now it’s their only real income, with cancelled proms and weddings slowing business. A nursing home in Moose Lake asked the owners, Jeaneth and Harold Deterling, to make and donate about 50 masks a week, being paid just for materials. “She asked me…

Two New COVID-19 Cases, Ninth Death Reported in St. Louis County

Total number of cases in the county is now 48.

MINNESOTA- Two new Coronavirus cases, and one death were reported in St. Louis County Sunday, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The county now has 48 positive cases and nine deaths total. Statewide 13 new deaths were reported Sunday, bringing the total number to 134, according to MDH. Minnesota now has 2,356 positive cases, with 1,160 individuals released from…

New COVID-19 Death Reported in St. Louis County, New Positive Case in Early 20s

As of Saturday there are 46 confirmed cases in the County.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn.- One new individual has died from COVID-19 in St. Louis County, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, bringing the total number of deaths to eight. The deceased is a woman in her early 80s, and was living in a long-term care facility. Another case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the county Saturday, to be a…

Gov. Walz Calls on Minnesotans to Donate Homemade Masks

State health officials report 143 new COVID-19 cases and 10 new coronavirus deaths statewide

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz is calling on Minnesota residents to make homemade masks for those most at risk of the coronavirus. Walz said Saturday that people should drop off the masks at their local fire departments next Saturday so that they can be delivered to senior living facilities and other group homes for employees and residents to wear….

Eating Better to Boost Immunity, Heart and Lung Health

DULUTH, Minn. — We might be reaching for comfort foods right now, but health experts recommend eating healthy to boost your lung and heart health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. New research published in the Oxford Academic Journals last month found that adding more fresh produce into your diet and reducing red meat, dairy, and sugar intake can dramatically lower…

Sutherland CBD, Dr. Juice Offer Hand Sanitizer, Donate Hundreds to First Responders

The pair are are selling bottles at cost for $3, all sales going back into production.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Sutherland CBD and Dr. Juice USA, both on Tower Avenue, are now offering handmade hand sanitizer. And hundreds of bottles of their product are going to first responders in need. “In these difficult times everybody’s got to do their part to stop the spread of this thing, to stay safe,” said Jacob Tout, CEO of Dr. Juice USA….

Veterans Can Get Financial Support During Pandemic

Veterans can receive $1,000 each in financial relief.

DULUTH, Minn- Minnesota veterans are getting financial relief to help them recover from the impacts of Covid-19. In March, the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Tim Walz approved a one-time relief grant worth more than $6 million to be awarded to veterans. On a first come first served basis veterans in need of the support can receive $1,000 each to counter…

Free Masks Bring Long Line to Vikre Distillery

Lake Superior Medical Equipment and Duluth Screen Printing team up to make 175 masks to distribute at Vikre.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Center for Disease Control has updated its recommendations, advising people to wear masks while out in public. Now Vikre Distillery is partnering with local businesses to distribute free cloth masks to Northlanders, along with hand sanitizer. “Keeps us busy while we’re closed, and feels really nice to be able to help the community that way,” said Doug…

Seven New COVID-19 Deaths Reported in Minnesota Saturday

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health reports 64 people have died from COVID-19 statewide as of Saturday, April 11th. That’s seven more deaths than were reported Friday, April 10th. 1,427 Minnesotans have now tested positive for the virus, 91 more than on Friday. Of the people who tested positive, 793 are no longer needing isolation. As of…

Minnesota Launches Free Program to Help People Quit Smoking, Vaping, and Chewing Tobacco

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Department of Health just launched a new program to help people who are interested in quitting smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco. The program, called Quit Partner, offers free, personal counseling over the phone and online, plus it sends free lozenges, gum, and patches to help your body wean itself off of nicotine. There are an estimated…

Three COVID-19 Deaths, 17 Total Cases Reported at St. Ann’s Residence in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Three deaths related to the novel coronavirus have been confirmed at St. Ann’s Residence in Duluth. The assisted living center has 17 total cases. COVID-19 fatality rates can be as high as 40 percent in assisted living facilities. That’s what makes the outbreak so concerning to St. Ann’s 138 residents and 100 staff members. The Minnesota Department…

COVID-19 Outbreaks at Assisted Living in Duluth, Moose Lake Prison

Cases in St. Louis County now stand at 28, 14 in Carlton County.

MINNESOTA,- An assisted living facility in Duluth and Moose Lake Prison in Carlton County is dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 28 cases in St. Louis County, and 14 cases in Carlton County. On Wednesday St. Louis County saw a jump in cases of 11, a large percentage linked to St. Ann’s Residence in Duluth….

First Confirmed COVID-19 Case Reported in Sawyer County

Hayward Area Memorial Hospital CEO discusses pandemic preparations

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – Sawyer County, Wisconsin has its first confirmed COVID-19 case. We’re told one person there tested positive and is now at home in isolation. The Sawyer County Health Department is now working to contact anybody who the infected person may have been in contact with. Hayward Area Memorial Hospital has been preparing for coronavirus patients for months….

Local Liquor Stores Taking Extreme Measures to Keep Customers Social Distancing, Avoid Closing

If customers crowd liquor stores as time goes on, they could be forced to close.

Many people stuck at home in both Minnesota and Wisconsin are heading to liquor stores. But when those stores become crowded, business owners have to choose between serving customers, an following the law of public health by maintaining social distance. One sign in front of Shanty Bottle Shop in Duluth’s Hillside neighborhood says it best: “Do not rush into the…

Home Healthcare Service Accepting More Patients to Decrease Need for Hospitalization

Recover Health hopes to eliminate patients' need to go back to the hospital.

DULUTH, Minn.- A home health service in Duluth is doing its part to treat more people at home, while also lifting the burden off of local hospitals. Recover Health on Grand Avenue in Denfeld is currently accepting new patients at about 8 beds a week. They offer services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and help with medications. The service…

Local Addiction Help During Quarantine

During this time of quarantine, people with addiction issues may have a harder time dealing with self-isolation. 

DULUTH, Minn. – During this time of quarantine, people with addiction issues may have a harder time dealing with self-isolation. According to the co-founder of Recovery Alliance Duluth, technology has been a good resource with helping with recovery. Face-to-face contact has been replaced with a virtual world where clients are receiving counseling and outreach. Among the topics discussed with patients,…

U.S., Wisconsin Supreme Courts Rule Against Evers; Election Day Stands

The Governor's attempts to change or postpone the election have been blocked on all fronts.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- After going through three changes in the span of one day, Wisconsin Elections will carry on as normal. Rulings from both the Wisconsin and U.S. Supreme Courts now make Wisconsin the only state with an election scheduled in April that is proceeding as planned. Governor Tony Evers signed an Executive Order early Monday postponing the election to June….

LSC Donates PPE to City of Duluth to Distribute

College donated 400 masks, 60 boxes of gloves.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Emergency Management has received a large donation of Personal Protective Equipment from Lake Superior College. Officials picked up about 400 masks, 60 boxes of gloves, gowns, sharps containers and more. The smaller places that do nursing home or adult care, or even child care needs,” Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj said. “I think this partnership is going…

Wisconsin Primaries Continue as Normal, Superior Prepares for Tuesday

The Governor's request to make the election all-mail was shot down by state Republicans.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A special session of the Wisconsin Legislature was held Saturday, to discuss making the Wisconsin Primary Elections all-mail, and extending absentee voting until late May. The meeting came to a halt when state Republicans shot down the request citing concerns for election security, and adjourned the meeting immediately. “Folks let me be clear this is not a Republican…

COVID-19 Confirmed at Duluth Long-Term Care Facility

DULUTH, Minn. – COVID-19 has been confirmed at Superior View Apartments, a long-term care facility in Duluth. The facility is included on the long-term care facilities with outbreaks list on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Superior View Apartments is the only facility in St. Louis County that appears on the list. According to the Department of Health, an outbreak…

St. Luke’s Opens Respiratory Clinic

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– Coronavirus is taking the time and attention of healthcare facilities everywhere but what about people who are dealing with other respiratory illnesses? Now, St. Luke’s has opened a new respiratory clinic in Duluth. With everyone caught up in the Coronavirus pandemic, other health issues can feel like they are pushed to the side. Now St. Luke’s is offering…

Local Mothers, Organizations Hosting Virtual Birthing Summit

The Virtual Summit is Taking Place April 4 - 10

DULUTH, Minn. – Giving birth or even the thought of starting a family can be a difficult topic to deal with during the stress of the coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, local professionals and area mothers are teaming up to help expecting parents. Stacy Holden is the creator of the Birth and Baby Fair Duluth. “We have an amazing birth community here…

Wal-Mart To Take Employees’ Temperatures Before Shifts

The company will also supply masks and gloves for employees.

DULUTH, Minn.- Businesses that have been deemed essential are trying to find the balance between protecting its workers while staying open for customers. Wal-Mart announced it’s going to start taking employees’ temperatures at stores and warehouses everyday before their shifts start. Any employee with a temperature over 100 degrees will be sent home. Wal-mart will supply face masks and gloves…

Cloquet Public Schools Launches Distance Learning Plan

School has plans to utilize both paper packets and online resources.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Cloquet Public Schools launched their Distance Learning Plan for the rest of the year. Elementary School-aged children will receive paper packets weekly to work on at home. Staff will be in charge of picking up finished packets, while dropping off packets for the following week. Middle and High Schoolers will complete work online. The District has plans for…

Minnesota National Guard Delivers Cots to St. Louis County for Potential COVID-19 Shelter

250 cots from Camp Ripley will be stocked and distributed on a need-basis.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota National Guard arrived in St. Louis County Tuesday morning to deliver hundreds of cots for a potential COVID-19 shelter. According to officials, while they’ve planned for pandemics in the past, none come close to the magnitude of planning required for Coronavirus. The Minnesota National Guard assisted St. Louis County by delivering 250 cots, bringing their total…

Cloquet, Carlton County Prepares for Spread of COVID-19

City officials, emergency personnel and hospital personnel taking extra precautions.

CLOQUET, Minn.- As one positive case is confirmed at the Moose Lake Prison in Carlton County, the City of Cloquet and County Health officials are taking stronger precautions to try and minimize the virus’s presence. “We are preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best, and expecting something in-between,” Community Memorial Hospital CEO Rick Breuer said. The Hospital is…

Customers Buy Up Fridges, Kitchen Appliances at Appliance Stores

Daugherty Appliance sees increase in customers.

CLOQUET, Minn.- As more people are staying at home, some appliance stores have seen more customers. Owners of Daugherty Appliances in Cloquet said their fridges and freezers have been selling like hotcakes as people look for more storage to stock up more food. They also add that more people have been buying full kitchen suites to update their kitchen. The…

Essentia Health Placing 500 Employees on ‘Special Administrative Leave’

DULUTH, Minn. –  Essentia Health announced Monday a plan to reduce non-medical staffing levels by 500 employees next week as the company prepares for a surge of COVID-19 patients in the communities it serves.  The employees affected are not involved in direct patient care, according to hospital officials. “These plans include redeploying our workforce to best position Essentia Health to…

Five New COVID-19 Cases in St. Louis County Confirmed in One Day

Unlike the past five cases, the way these individuals were infected is not known at this time.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Louis County saw a jump in COVID-19 cases over the weekend. Five new presumptive cases were confirmed, doubling the total number of cases to 10 in the county, in just one day. The newest cases include a woman in her early 60s who is being hospitalized for treatment–the first case severe enough to require hospitalization in the…

Angler’s Isolation: Fishing on the Brule River

Coronavirus doesn't keep anglers from fishing for steelhead trout.

BRULE, Wis.- Since solitary outdoor activities in state parks are considered essential in Governor Tony Evers’s Safer-at-Home order, some anglers took advantage of that, casting their rods on the Brule River. The babbling brooks feeding into the rushing river are the only sounds that greet you out along the Brule. “This is about as isolated as we can get,” Eric…

Minnesota Officials Report Fifth Coronavirus Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Health on Saturday confirmed the state’s fifth death from the coronavirus. The recent health department report shows that COVID-19 cases have increased to 441, up 43 from Friday, with 30 patients hospitalized. The state has conducted 16,129 tests. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who is under a 14-day quarantine and is working from the…

Memorial Blood Centers Need Donations During Pandemic

All blood drives have been canceled through April 30th, so a blood supply shortage is expected

DULUTH, Minn. – Memorial Blood Centers has canceled all blood drives through April 30th, so an extreme shortage in the blood supply is expected. Memorial is the only supplier of blood to more than thirty hospitals across the region, including Essentia and St. Luke’s. They are still collecting donations at donation centers and encourage everybody to keep donating, even during…

Healthcare Systems Prepare for COVID-19 Surge

Testing in this region remains limited, only available to specific groups

DULUTH, Minn. – Local healthcare systems are preparing for a surge in coronavirus cases in the Northland. Healthcare officials warn that more than two million Minnesotans could get COVID-19 before the end of the pandemic, so enough hospital beds and equipment have to be ready to take in a surge of patients. Both Essentia Health and St. Luke’s are offering…

Second Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Bayfield County, Linked to Community Spread

Second Case of COVID-19 in Bayfield County Related to Community Spread

BAYFIELD CO., Wis. – On Thursday the Bayfield County Health Department confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in Bayfield County. This case is also considered the first known case related to community spread in the county. The lab-confirmed positive case received on March 26 did not have a history of travel or contact with a known positive case of COVID-19….

UMD Professor Stresses Importance of Long Clinical Trials for Any Potential COVID-19 Drugs

Without long trials before testing on humans, severe harm can arise.

DULUTH, Minn.- With discussions around the country about a potential vaccine or drug being developed to treat COVID-19, local experts are speaking out about the reality of treating the virus so soon. While President Trump has touched on different drugs that scientists have said might be helpful in fighting Coronavirus, UMD Applied Human Sciences Professor Jessica Hanson said testing them…

With Third Coronavirus Case in St. Louis County, Officials Urge No Travel

The third case in the county is linked to domestic travel.

DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order came at the heels of St. Louis County announcing the discovery of its third case of Coronavirus on Wednesday. The woman is in her late 30s, and like the other cases, contracted the virus through domestic travel. Now county leaders are taking a stronger stance on limiting people coming and out of the…

Essentia Opens Drop-Off Location for Community Donations

Essentia needs masks, gowns, eye protection, gloves, and face shields

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s now a designated drop-off site for the community to donate medical supplies to Essentia Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donors can drive up to a loading dock around the back of the Miller Hill Mall. They’re asked to stay in their cars, call one of the phone numbers on the nearby poster, and wait for Essentia…

Superior Mayor Jim Paine Reacts to Gov. Evers’s ‘Safer-at-Home’ Order

Mayor recognizes grocery stores as essential, but asks the public only go when they need to.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior Mayor Jim Paine spoke out after Governor’s Shelter-in-Place order was announced. His main message: stay home and limit your trips unless absolutely necessary and that means even grocery stores. While Governor Evers has labeled grocery stores as essential, Mayor Paine wants residents to avoid those stores if you can. This comes after one of the four people…

More People Plug-In To Video Games While Stuck at Home

Games Then and Now in Superior sees increase in sale, but hope that continues as they move completely online.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- As more families deal with life stuck at home, video game stores have seen sales go up. But after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’s safer-at-home order, they hope those sales continue online. Last week the owners of Games Then and Now on Tower Avenue said they saw a huge jump in people buying games. It’s not just kids buying…

SuperOne Helps Social Distancing with New Plastic Barriers at Check-Out

Barriers installed at all 41 stores across three states, at over 270 stations.

DULUTH, Minn.- As SuperOne grocery stores across the Northland remain packed with people shopping for essentials, the store has installed acrylic barriers at cashier stations to limit the spread of Coronavirus. At the end of Tuesday, the new barriers were outfitted at all 41 grocery and liquor store locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Products scan and carts screech by…

Duluth Fitness Studio Offers Free Live Video Classes During Pandemic

Ignite Studio offering classes in dance cardio, yoga, fuse, and zumba

DULUTH, Minn. – Health and fitness studios are closed across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now, local studios are offering online classes to promote healthy lifestyles and keep their businesses going during the coronavirus pandemic. Ignite Studio in Duluth has been offering live fitness classes on Facebook and their website for free to keep people moving and active while they’re stuck at…

Blood Donations Needed During Coronavirus Pandemic

American Red Cross tells us the need for blood is not higher, but number of donations has gone way down

DULUTH, Minn. – Blood donations are severely needed across the country because many blood drives have been canceled during the pandemic. The American Red Cross tells us the need for blood is not higher, but the amount of donations has gone way down. Red Cross workers are committed to make donating a safe experience for everybody involved. Both donors’ and…

New COVID-19 Cases in St. Louis, Douglas Counties

Experts say while it's not confirmed, they are sure there is community spread.

The cases of Coronavirus continue to climb in the Northland. A second case has been discovered in St. Louis County, along with three others in Douglas County, bringing the total there to four–with one case in Superior. There remains one confirmed case in Bayfield County The newest case in St. Louis County is a woman in her early 60s who…

U-Haul Rental Services Busy as College Students Head Home

With online classes and nowhere to go, students head home.

DULUTH, Minn.- With colleges and universities across the Northland moving all classes online for the rest of the year and asking students to leave dorms, many are heading to their nearest U-Hauls to pack up and head home. The only truck that Complete Auto Repair Service (CARS) has left is a cardboard model that sits on their front desk. Their…