Feb. 12, 2021
We're in for another cold, cold weekend. Much of the state is forecast to remain below zero through the weekend with wind chills dropping to 55 below zero at times in northern Minnesota. Find the latest from Updraft. Citing improvements in case counts and hospitalizations, Gov. Tim Walz eased some COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings.
The changes include an increased "do not exceed" limit capacities for restaurants, entertainment venues and private gatherings like wedding receptions. Read more in our online guide.
Walz also said he wants all Minnesota students back in classrooms as soon as possible but that he will set no date requiring the return of in-person learning. He said the return needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis and that widespread testing will be a critical part of safely bringing back staff and students.
COVID-19 cases are trending downward despite a slight uptick in known active caseloads. Minnesota Department of Health reports 1,058 new cases of COVID-19. The pace of vaccinations in the state has slowed from last week. Nineteen people were reported to have died from COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the state's toll to 6,362. The seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths is trending downward, but officials remained concerned about new virus variants arriving in the state.
You can get more of the latest news, in just a few minutes, via the Minnesota Today podcast. — Kathryn Styer Martinez | MPR News | 