Health

White House plans to vaccinate 5 to 11-year-olds, pending FDA approval for Pfizer

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The White House has unveiled its plan to vaccinate millions of kids ages 5 to 11 against the coronavirus. It’ll be put in motion as soon as the FDA approves Pfizer’s vaccine for that age group, which may happen as soon as the first week of November. Advisers to the FDA are scheduled to meet next…

Public input wanted on making Fargo-Moorhead more bicycle and pedestrian friendly

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments is looking for ways to make the Fargo-Moorhead area more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Metro COG updates the Metropolitan Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan every five years. People are encouraged to take an online survey to share their recommendations for creating safer streets. A virtual open house took place Tuesday afternoon…

Sanford Health Encourages Annual Flu Shot

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Flu shot season is here and this year, Sanford Health says people are hesitating to get their shot. With some people already skeptical of COVID vaccines and the now readily available booster shot, there is concern that people will forgo their annual flu shot. Most of us are required to get vaccines each year to go…

Mask Mandate In Fergus Falls Stirs Mixed Emotions

Dozens of Parents Packed Kennedy Secondary School To Express Their Feelings About The New Mask Mandate For Pre- K Through Sixth Grade Students

FERGUS FALLS, MINN. (KVRR) – Dozens of parents from the Fergus Falls school district gathered today at Kennedy Secondary school to express their feelings one way or another on the new mask mandate for kids in Pre-K through 6th grade. Parents wanted to know why this age group, medical officials and superintendent Jeff Drake explained it was due to the…

Health officials urge flu shots as need to reduce hospitalizations continues

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — This flu season is expected to be worse than the unusually mild one we experienced last winter. Fewer people got the flu last winter because of COVID-19 prevention measures like wearing masks, social distancing, and traveling less. With many people back at work and school, this year will likely be different. “Get the COVID vaccine, get…

White House believes business vaccine requirements “is the right thing to do”

WASHINGTON (KVRR) – The White House COVID Vaccinations Coordinator says coronavirus vaccination requirements for businesses is “the right thing to do.” The Biden Administration says the Department of Labor is developing an emergency rule. It would require businesses with one hundred or more employees to mandate their workers be fully vaccinated or undergo rigorous testing. In an interview with KVRR, Dr….

More than 8,000 North Dakotans have received three COVID-19 vaccine shots, including booster doses

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Roughly 8,000 North Dakotans have received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the state’s Department of Health. That includes people who are immunocompromised and were recommended to get a third Moderna dose, as well as those who got the Pfizer booster dose beginning late last week. “COVID vaccines do continue to be highly effective…

Pet Connection: Meet The Bunnies

Bunches of bunnies for adoption!!!!! They just need one more thing (or one less thing, as the case may be) first.

It’s been an almost herculean effort on the part of animal rescuers here in our region to round up some sixty or so rabbits from a Moorhead neighborhood. Sixty or so rapidly multiplying rabbits, actually. Rescue workers say it all started in a single home, with a pair of pets that were left to breed unchecked. Now, those rescue workers…

Fargo School Board votes down motion to end mask mandate

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – In a 7 to 2 vote, Fargo School Board members decide not to update the district’s policy to recommend masking versus mandating them. A discussion over recommending versus mandating masks in Fargo schools was brought up two weeks ago by Board Member Jennifer Benson. At this week’s meeting, she continued to advocate for parents who want…

Sanford Health welcomes nurses as capacity nears

"We're anticipating that we'll need staff for high census all the way through the winters and so we're planning for that."

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Sanford Health is seeing facilities near capacity and with a shorthanded staff, the workload is beginning to take a toll. Local medical facilities continue to surge towards maximum capacity. 530 patients are being housed and treated. 38 of those are COVID related, 10 of those patients are in ICU and staff members are working overtime to…