Health

Health
Anoka’s huge Halloween festival returns to its roots amid pandemic
This year marks a century of Halloween celebrations for the Twin Cities suburb. While COVID-19 is forcing Anoka to rein in many of its traditions, the 2020 festival has not been canceled. Here’s what the “Halloween Capital of the World” has planned.
Oct. 18 update on COVID-19 in MN: 11th straight day with 1,000+ cases
Minnesota reported 1,732 more confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday — the 11th consecutive day that the state has seen new case counts of more than 1,000. Officials also reported 17 more COVID-19 deaths, the fourth time in five days that the daily toll has been in the double digits.
Helping hands need a break, too: How to lend support without burning out
These days there are hundreds of reasons to open your heart to others, but it's easy to get exhausted. Try these tips honed by social workers for staying empathetic — and healthy.
Coronavirus FAQs: Open windows in winter, holding your breath, masks sprayed with oil?
This week our readers have questions about whether opening windows during winter will make indoor gatherings safer, trying not to breathe during a brief encounter with an unmasked person, and spraying a mask with... oil?
Rural Midwest hospitals struggling to handle virus surge
“One or two people with infections can really cause a large impact when you have one grocery store or gas station,” one health official said as the brunt of the coronavirus has blown into the Upper Midwest and northern Plains. “There is such a ripple effect.”
'I'm still unemployed': Millions in dire situation as savings start to run out
Many unemployed Americans have been tapping into their savings to pay bills. But those savings are going fast, and hopes for a new round of pandemic relief before the election are fading.
New virus restrictions in Europe; Merkel warns of hard days
“Difficult months are ahead of us,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. “How winter will be, how our Christmas will be, that will all be decided in these coming days and weeks, and it will be decided by our behavior.”
COVID-19 cases tied to MN campaign events — but full impact is unclear
Health officials say some people who attended recent political events in Minnesota — including two major Trump rallies in the northern part of the state — later tested positive for COVID-19. But how many? That number is hard to find.
Oct. 17 update on COVID-19 in MN: 'Deeply worried' by the pandemic's path
Minnesota reported 1,704 more confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday — down from Friday’s record high, but still the second-largest single-day case increase so far during the pandemic. Testing also fell, more so than cases — meaning the positivity rate for tests increased.