COVID-19

Sanford directs employees to wear masks regardless of vaccination status

"We are seeing unprecedented high patient volumes in our hospitals along with sharply rising cases of COVID-19 across our footprint"

FARGO (KVRR) – Effective Thursday, Sanford Health will require all employees to wear face coverings, including workers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The announcement was made in an email sent to employees Wednesday from Sanford Chief Physician Dr. Jeremy Cauwels. “We are seeing unprecedented high patient volumes in our hospitals along with sharply rising cases of COVID-19 across…

Delta Air Lines will make employees pay for not being vaccinated

Hector International AirportATLANTA – Delta Air Lines will charge employees on the company health plan $200 a month if they fail to get vaccinated against COVID-19, a policy the airline’s top executive says is necessary because the average hospital stay for the virus costs the airline $40,000. CEO Ed Bastian said that all employees who have been hospitalized for the…

Unvaccinated Students And Staff Asked To Wear Masks In West Fargo Public Schools

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Students and staff at West Fargo Public Schools who are unvaccinated are being asked to wear a face mask in school buildings. The details were presented in a letter to the school district by Superintendent Beth Slette and School Board President Jim Jonas. It is a recommendation and not a requirement. The district will also offer…

AMA calls for public, private sectors to create nationwide vaccine mandate

CHICAGO (KVRR) – The American Medical Association Tuesday called for “public and private sectors” to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations. “The simple fact is unless a significant percentage of our population is vaccinated against COVID-19—we could be stuck fighting this virus for many more months or even years to come” according to AMA President, Dr. Gerald Harmon.  “Now is the time for…

Watch: Moorhead Public Schools enacts mask mandate

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – A contentious school board meeting in Moorhead after a vote came up on universal masking for all staff and students in the public schools. Moorhead School Board Chair Cassidy Bjorklund said, “You guys can go out, go out. You can please leave, please leave. Out! Officer can you please remove them?” The issue set off a crowd…

Pfizer vaccine gets full FDA approval, local doctor doesn’t believe more people will get it

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Food and Drug Administration giving full approval to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine is what many in health care expected, but will that lead more people to getting their shot? “This will push people over the edge to go get the vaccine because it is our, our best protection,” Former Acting FDA Commissioner Retired Admiral Brett Giroir…

University of Minnesota vaccine mandate takes effect with FDA’s approval

MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota is among hundreds of colleges nationwide in requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for students and staff at its five campuses. The mandate went into effect because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given final approval to a coronavirus vaccine, not just emergency use status. Faculty and staff at the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, Crookston…

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine gets full FDA approval

The FDA has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. has given full approval to the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision on Monday may help lift public confidence in vaccinations as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet. The FDA has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety. More than 200 million doses…

Move-In Day For Students At Concordia Where Masks Will Be Required In Class

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Concordia College in Moorhead is requiring face masks in all classes, labs and studios beginning on the first day of class which is Thursday. Students spent the day getting moved into the college to get ready for the start of classes. They head off Monday to “Hands For Change” service projects around the community. Concordia is also…

Grand Forks School Board approves mask mandate

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR/KNOX) – The Grand Forks School Board is implementing an indoor mask mandate for students and staff as another school year gets underway next week. It’s part of the strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19 with increasing cases of the Delta variant in the community. Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Catherine Gillach says it’s important to keep…