MPR News PM Update
March 31, 2020

Wet weather comes back, with rain and snow. It looks like April will start with some clouds across Minnesota. While most parts of the state are expected to have some rain, northern Minnesota would see freezing rain, sleet mixing and snow by Wednesday morning.


COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 629 confirmed cases involve Minnesotans from 5 months old to 104 years old. As of today, twelve Minnesotans from 58 to 95 years old have died from the disease. State officials also said 26 people remain in intensive care as of today.

Everything you should know about the pandemic in Minnesota daily -- in 10 mins. Subscribe to our Minnesota Today podcast to get the latest local COVID-19 news from MPR News. We keep it up to date every weekday. 

This Ely couple wants to know when they can leave cruise where fellow passengers died. Valerie Myntti and Frank Sherman remain stuck on the cruise ship, the Zaandam, which was meant to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., early April. But after four passengers died and hundreds of others have fallen ill, it’s unclear when and where the ship will be able to dock. 

Aetna, Cigna and Humana to waive COVID-19 treatment costs. The three major insurers announced the policy change yesterday that would shield their customers from high medical bills if they need treatment for COVID-19. Aetna and Cigna said they will waive COVID-19 treatment costs through qualified medical bills that are incurred until June 1, 2020

As more Minnesotans are staying home, advocates for domestic violence victims see more calls to their hotline. With schools now closed and under the state’s stay-at-home order, a statewide crisis hotline is seeing a 25 percent increase in calls compared to this time last year. Gov. Tim Walz stressed that the state's stay-at-home order does not apply to people who are experiencing abuse. And  help remains available to those seeking help. 

— Jiwon Choi, MPR News


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America must brace for 100,000 or more people to die in the coming months in the coronavirus pandemic, the White House's response team warned Tuesday.

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