COVID continues to fade in Minnesota

Nearly every key COVID-19 metric is quickly heading down. 

View this email as a web page March 1, 2022 COVID-19 numbers in the state continue to trend in the right direction.  Minnesota is now averaging fewer than 1,000 newly confirmed cases a day — down from more than 3,000 a day a few weeks ago.  There are other hopeful signs, including from the Met Council's analysis of wastewater in the Twin Cities.  "Their measurements of COVID-19 particles in metro wastewater have matched up pretty closely with case counts over the course of the pandemic. And they're showing levels so low, that we haven't seen since last July," said MPR News data reporter David Montgomery.  Montgomery says more than 10 percent of new cases in Minnesota are reinfections, in someone who previously had COVID. Those levels are the highest of the pandemic so far.  Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get up-to-date Minnesota news twice daily. — Natasha Senjanovic, MPR News  Messy weekend storm on the way: Rain, snow, ice likely A March storm will bring a mixed bag of precipitation types from late Friday night into Sunday. The locations of the heaviest snow bands are still uncertain, but there are some distinct trends as of Tuesday. Russian forces escalate attacks on Ukraine's civilian areas Russian forces escalated their attacks on crowded urban areas Tuesday, bombarding the central square in Ukraine's second-biggest city and Kyiv's main TV tower in what the country's president called a blatant campaign of terror. Biden steps to State of the Union lectern at fraught moment President Joe Biden will deliver his first State of the Union address at a precipitous moment for the nation. Biden is aiming to navigate the country out a pandemic, reboot his stalled domestic agenda and confront Russia's aggression.  Democrat Feehan won't seek 1st District U.S. House seat Dan Feehan, the Democrat who ran for Congress in southern Minnesota's 1st District the last two election cycles, said Tuesday he will not run in the special election or the general election in 2022 for the seat left open by the death of Rep. Jim Hagedorn.  After community outcry, Duluth lights Lift Bridge in support of Ukraine After community outcry, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will allow the city's landmark Aerial Lift Bridge to be lit blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.  Report takes aim at CenterPoint's gains from Texas merger The Citizens Utility Board is questioning whether Minnesota's largest natural gas utility should be allowed to recover more than $400 million in costs associated with a February 2021 winter storm. SPONSOR   FDA warns against using another powdered baby formula after a 2nd death The FDA now cautions against using a specific lot of Abbott Nutrition's Similac PM 60/40 after a second infant dies. Abbott voluntarily recalled the specialty product on Monday. Union rejects MLB's last offer at deadline to cancel games Players have rejected Major League Baseball's "best and final offer" to end the sport's lockout before the league's deadline to avoid canceled games.  Burglars make off with several thousand dollars in break-in at St. Paul mosque Burglaries have increased in St. Paul, particularly in the western part of the city, where the mosque is located. Leaders say congregants don't feel safe. Minnesota House passes 'Crown Act' hair discrimination bill The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their hairstyle. 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