Health

COVID-19 unit nurse sheds light on mental health resources for healthcare workers

Reach for Resilience is a statewide mental health resource for all North Dakota healthcare workers

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – After a year of helping patients fight COVID-19, medical professionals are dealing with health concerns of their own. Mental health, that is. “The first few weeks were terrifying,” recalls Sanford Health nurse Melanie Allen. A year ago, Allen cared for the first COVID-19 patient at Sanford Health. She has been a nurse for nearly 15 years,…

Experts say public is not ready to forgo masks

It's still recommended in public that fully vaccinated people mask. Sounds a bit like a broken record, but that's what I think we still need to do,"

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – With the CDC updating its COVID-19 guidelines experts say we are not in the clear just yet. Parts of the country have already begun easing restrictions on mask mandates including North Dakota Legislature dropping mask usage within chambers and Grand Forks County forgoing all masks. Experts at Sanford Health say even with low case numbers and…

Minnesota expands vaccine eligibility ahead of schedule

The state is moving through its timeline of vaccine prioritizations quicker than anticipated

MINNESOTA (KVRR) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says the state is reaching its goal of vaccinating 70% of people 65 years and older this week. That puts the state’s timeline several weeks ahead of schedule. “This is good news, Minnesota,” said Walz at Tuesday’s press conference. “There’s still a much higher demand than there is a supply, but the supply…

LIVE: Red River Sportsmen’s Show

If you buy a boat this weekend, don't forget the life jacket to go with it.

The ice is melting fast throughout the region, and the boats and grills are disappearing just as fast. That’s the word from organizers at the Red River Sportsmen’s Show, who say some of the boat dealers you’ll see at the show are already looking at the end of their inventory for the season. The heightened demand is due in part…

KVRR Morning News Special: COVID-19 vaccinations – Finding Answers

Your biggest questions about getting the Covid vaccine in our region answered by the people who put the vaccine program together.

We’re tackling today some of your top questions about the Covid vaccine program in the Red River Region and beyond, and we couldn’t have done it without your help. The Director of Nursing, Fargo Cass Public Health’s Suzanne Schaefer, took two hours today to talk with our Morning Show anchors live about the biggest questions you still have about the…

Study says Alzheimer’s cases are on the rise

"We don't know exactly why that's happening, but what we do know is that the same risk factors that puts someone at risk for developing Alzheimer are some of the same risk factors that put someone at risk for getting covid."

NORTH DAKOTA (KVRR) — New research for the state of North Dakota shows that the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s has climbed during the pandemic. “For a long time the Alzheimer’s Association has known the staggering rates at which our community gets diagnosed with dementia,” Alzheimer’s Association Chief Strategy Officer, Mollie O’Brien said. As of last year since the…

Major vaccination improvements by summer in Cass County

"With the Johnson and Johnson coming out we think we'll get more people vaccinated and what we're beginning to think is we may have our population vaccinated by the end of June."

CASS CO., N.D. (KVRR) — A legislative conversation with Cass County legislators and local leaders quickly turns to talk about the COVID vaccines. The most important topic to arise from the virtual session raised the question of where the county stands in terms of vaccinations. Fargo Mayor Doctor Tim Mahoney says no vaccine is being wasted and with the Johnson…

Sanford Health seeing increased vaccine allotments, prepares for Johnson & Johnson vaccine

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota Health Department says the state is receiving 6,300 doses of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot COVID-19 vaccine on Friday. Minnesota is getting more than 45,000 doses. Dr. Doug Griffin says Sanford is beginning to see a significant increase in overall vaccine distributions. This week will be its largest week of distribution thus far with…

Mammograms and the Covid Vaccine

When they get together, the result can be misleading, doctors say.

If you’re headed in for a mammogram or thinking about booking one soon, be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve gotten any of the Covid vaccines. That’s because swollen lymph nodes, which are a side effect of some vaccinations, including Covid, can raise your doctor’s suspicions about breast cancer. Sanford Health physicians say a few people have already come…

FDA approves Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. now has a third vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday cleared a Johnson & Johnson shot that works with just one dose instead of two. Health experts have anxiously awaited a one-and-done option to help speed vaccinations. The FDA said J&J’s vaccine offers strong protection against what matters most: serious…