![Duluth-Based Essentia Health to Lay Off 900 Employees](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/02/Emergency.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Duluth-Based Essentia Health to Lay Off 900 Employees
DULUTH (AP) -- Essentia Health says it is laying off 900 employees as the coronavirus pandemic cuts into the business.
Essentia Health CEO David Herman said Thursday that the recent cost-reduction measures the Duluth-based health care system has taken ``are not sufficient to preserve our mission and the health of the organization.''
The cuts represent 6 percent of Essentia's workforce. The cuts are in addition to 850 Essentia employees who have been placed on administrative leave.
Minnesota hospitals are dealing with a steep drop in business while preparing for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients. Routine visits have been postponed and elective surgeries were not allowed until recently.
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