Covid-19

A local organization is offering some new programming to help students get back on track in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Blaine man has been charged for his role in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.

The COVID-19 virus continues to be something we live with even though the majority of people who come down with the latest Omicron COVID-19 virus don't get severely ill. CentraCare spokesman Dr. George Morris joined me on WJON. He says the 3 reasons people are more likely to get severe symptoms are age, vaccination status and preexisting conditions.

A less severe but more contagious version of COVID-19 continues to impact Central Minnesota. Dr. George Morris from CentraCare joined me on WJON. He says the BA .5 sub variant of the Omicron COVID-19 variant is the one making its way through the community this summer.

With spring finally showing its face, we thought it would be a good time to take a look at the best spots in Central Minnesota for outdoor eating and drinking.

The City of St. Cloud has been tracking COVID-19 levels in the community through wastewater. St. Cloud Public Services Director Tracy Hodel joined me on WJON today. Hodel says St. Cloud provides wastewater services for 5 other cities in the metro area which includes St. Joseph, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta and soon to be Foley.

CentraCare has 25 COVID-19 positive patients throughout their Central Minnesota facilities this week with just 2 people in the ICU/Critical Care unit at St. Cloud Hospital. CentraCare spokesman Dr. George Morris joined me on WJON this week. He says these numbers are similar to the COVID numbers they had within CentraCare last August.

Every home in the U.S. can order four free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests.

Every home in the U.S. can order four free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests.

The COVID-19 numbers at St. Cloud Hospital are about the same this week as last week but Dr. George Morris is optimistic our local COVID numbers will decrease dramatically over the next 6 to 8 weeks. Morris says they have 74 people at St. Cloud Hospital with COVID with 22 of those in the ICU/critical care unit.