MPR News PM Update
March 18, 2020

A rain/snow storm after gloomy Wednesday. By Thursday morning, a storm that’s quite potent will bring rain, snow and wind gusts across Minnesota through Friday morning. While it will likely affect the whole state, the impact will be greater in southern Minnesota than in other parts. A couple of inches of snow -- up to 3-4 inches in southwestern Minnesota -- is expected.


COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 77 cases confirmed, 6 new cases through community transmission. Thirteen cases involve health care workers, three patients have been released and four remain in hospital, state health officials say. So far, more than 2,700 people have been tested, but the state is still seeing a shortage of testing

U.S.-Canada border temporarily closed, President Trump orders. In a press conference today, Trump said that he had become a "wartime president" and that Americans now are in something like a state of war, too. Some traffic would continue to pass through, but the goal is to limit the non-urgent passage of people back and forth, said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Amid COVID-19 outbreak, the story of a son who struggles to see his elderly father in an assisted living home. As many nursing homes and assisted living facilities across Minnesota close their doors to visitors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Charlie Johnson, whose father is an assisted living resident, figured out how to continue seeing his 88-year-old father. He now sits outside the window of his father’s room, saying hello to him over the phone every day.

How are you managing to take care of your kids while working from home? We understand it’s a hard time for all, but especially for parents. We want to help. Join our Raising Kids in Minnesota Facebook group for the lastest COVID-19 stories, tips, advice, discussions with other Minnesota parents and more.

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News

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77 COVID-19 cases statewide; 1,700 samples await testing amid shortage
There are 77 cases confirmed via testing, but the state Health Department is seeing test supply shortages at “several levels,” so the virus is likely more widespread. Gov. Walz said he’s pleading with federal authorities for more help, adding that there are 1,700 samples frozen, awaiting testing, due to inadequate supplies.
 
Trump partly shuts border with Canada to stem spread of coronavirus
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Minn. health care workers raise concerns about coronavirus response
The front-line workers are criticizing hospital administrators for slow implementation of strategies to treat coronavirus victims and unclear communication. They also say the hospitals are potentially putting medical workers at risk by rationing equipment and inconsistently enforcing protocols around coronavirus patients.
 
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Tuesday: With 3 more victories, Biden pulls further away from Sanders
 
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Retailers shift hours, limit number of customers in stores due to outbreak
Minneapolis-based Target says it will close its stores at 9 p.m. and add staff for cleaning checkout lanes and other areas that guests contact. The company will also reserve the first hour of operations on Wednesdays for elderly and medically vulnerable shoppers.
 

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