COVID surge receding in Minnesota

New case counts trending at lowest point since August 

View this email as a web page Feb. 25, 2022 Minnesota's new COVID-19 cases are trending at their lowest point since August. Cases dipped below 1,000 Friday, reflecting the receding of the omicron variant, which tore through the state in the early weeks of 2022.  Hospitalizations — including in ICUs — and deaths are declining as well. Hospitals around the state have been strained throughout the pandemic. But the prolonged delta wave in the fall of 2021 collided with the rise of omicron in Minnesota, with little break in between, causing staffing challenges unlike any they'd seen in earlier phases of the pandemic. Declining case counts come as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlines a new set of measures around mask-wearing and social-distancing for communities where COVID-19 is easing its grip. Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. — Hannah Yang, MPR News  The 'Winter Grab' delves into Lake Superior's seasonal secrets Scientists have a pretty good understanding of what goes on in the Great Lakes during the summer. But they don't know nearly as much about Lake Superior and the other lakes during winter. And that's where what they called the "Winter Grab" comes in. Photos: Minnesotans gather to support Ukraine Members of Minnesota's Ukrainian American community and their supporters gathered Thursday evening outside St. Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church in Minneapolis to show support for Ukraine as it battles the ongoing attacks by Russia. Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden's Supreme Court nominee, has blazed trails all her life President Joe Biden has selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his Supreme Court nominee to fill the seat left when Judge Stephen Breyer retires. Some House DFLers pitch summer gas tax holiday Five Democrats in the Minnesota House want to give Minnesota drivers a break from the state gasoline tax this summer. House Republicans say it's a ploy to win votes before the fall election. 'Race because you love to race': Jessie Diggins reflects on recent Olympic trip After a historic performance at the 2022 Beijing Olympic games, Minnesota's Jessie Diggins became the most decorated cross country skier in U.S. Olympic history. And she's already back on the road, competing in the World Cup level races in Finland. DJ Sean McPherson leaves The Current for Jazz88 "It's with a heavy heart but a huge smile that I let you know that after 17 years as a listener, 12 years doing trivia on The Morning Show and 7.5 years as an employee I am moving on from my time as a host on The Current. I am taking the position of music director and afternoon drive host on Jazz88," wrote McPherson. SPONSOR   MN school enrollment continues to drop, but not as severely as 2021 The enrollment hit to Minnesota's public school system is not as severe as the 2020-2021 school year, but the number of families looking elsewhere for their students' education needs continues to rise. Survey: MN students learning more, but mental health concerns growing A new survey from the University of Minnesota shows that both students and educators believe mental health is a top concern. Meet Virginia, a birth simulator aimed at preserving rural obstetrics Having a baby in rural Minnesota is getting harder. In the last two decades, at least 13 counties lost all labor and delivery services, leaving some women to drive long distances to give birth. But a new birth simulator aims to preserve birth services in remote parts of the state. Fresh off State of the Union address, Biden travels to WI According to the White House, Biden and first lady Jill Biden will stop in Superior, Wis., on Wednesday to discuss how the $1 trillion infrastructure law will improve the state's roads and bridges, among other things, and create jobs. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe today! Preference Center ❘ Unsubscribe This email was sent by: Minnesota Public Radio 480 Cedar Street Saint Paul, MN, 55101