Coronavirus Updates: The Latest COVID-19 Headlines From April 9, 2020
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz extended the state's stay-at-home order to run through May 4. He says the extension will reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus and allow time for the state's hospital system to brace for a surge of cases. The executive order closing restaurants and bars to dine-in customers was also extended until May 4.
Here are the latest COVID-19 headlines:
- 5:33 p.m. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announces updates to parkway closures to allow for social distancing by pedestrians.
- 5:28 p.m. CenturyLink announced technicians will no longer be entering homes or businesses in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- 5:13 p.m. DoorDash announces reduced commission for local restaurants.
- 4:30 p.m. Homeland Security shares tips on keeping kids safe during distance learning.
- 2:42 p.m. Reps. Omar, Ocasio-Cortez, Pressley, Tlaib to host live Q&A with healthcare and manufacturing workers Thursday at 7 p.m. Watch here.
- 2:06 p.m. Social distancing urged at Minneapolis playgrounds, trails, athletic courts and fields.
- 1:55 p.m. There are now 2,885 positive COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. The state reports 111 deaths due to the virus as of Thursday.
- 1:53 p.m. Pearson's Candy Co. launches buy one, give one effort to support the Red Cross. Learn more here.
- 1:30 p.m. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic warned about the impact false negative test results, which could include the possibility of spawning a "second wave" of cases.
- 1:25 p.m. Landmarks including the U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field, and the I-94 bridge will light up blue Thursday night to honor healthcare workers and first responders.
- 12:22 p.m. In the worst-case scenario, University of Minnesota predicts the school could lose $315 million because of COVID-19.
- 11:52 a.m. Some gas prices across Minnesota fall below $0.80 a gallon.
- 11:33 a.m. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announce over $47.5 million for housing in Minnesota amid COVID-19.
- 11:00 a.m. MDH reports 11 additional deaths, bringing the state total to 50. 1,242 patients have tested positive for COVID-19, of which 675 no longer need isolation.
- 10:44 a.m. Xcel Energy donates an additional 192,000 surgical masks to frontline workers battling COVID-19.
- 10:37 a.m. U.S. Senator Tina Smith's bipartisan bill to prevent drug shortages becomes law amid COVID-19 pandemic.
- 10:07 a.m. Minnesota United and Allina Health to host blood drive at Allianz Field on April 23 and 24.
- 10:06 a.m. Sun Country Airlines on Thursday announced free flights for healthcare workers traveling through the end of April to assist in the efforts to combat COVID-19.
- 9:56 a.m. Medtronic announces FDA approval for the PB560 ventilator.
- 9:54 a.m. Element Minneapolis Downtown and Home2 Suites now offering special discounted rates for first responders and those self-isolating.
- 9:23 a.m.: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers closes 40 state parks and recreation areas to reduce overcrowding and vandalism.
- 7:44 a.m.: Officials say the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the first week of April was 6.6 million. When added to the jobless figures from last month, the total number of Americans without work due to the pandemic is 16.5 million.
- 5:45 a.m.: The U.S. now has the second-highest COVID-19 death toll in the world, racing toward 15,000. Italy currently has the deadliest outbreak, with more than 17,000 deaths.
- 2:37 a.m.: The Strategic National Stockpile is almost out of personal protective gear for frontline medical workers.
