Coronavirus Updates: The Latest COVID-19 Headlines From April 8, 2020
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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday extended Minnesota's stay-at-home order to May 4 to combat the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, a milestone was reached Tuesday in Minnesota, when the state breached 1,000 cases of COVID-19.
Here are the latest COVID-19 headlines:
- 7:55 p.m.: St. Paul announces closure of playgrounds, sports courts, and skate parks until further notice.
- 6 p.m.: The Mayo Clinic is analyzing antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients to find a treatment for the virus.
- 5:20 p.m.: Beginning April 9, all health care workers across the M Health Fairview system who directly care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients will wear N95 respirators in inpatient settings.
- 4:19 p.m.: Lunds & Byerlys stores announce they may limit the number of customers allowed inside at a given time due to Easter shopping.
- 4:05 p.m.: Secretary of State Steve Simon proposes bill to expand mail-in voting.
- 3:43 p.m.: Minnesota DFL Sen. Jim Carlson is calling for alternatives to in-person voting that can guarantee Minnesotans their "fundamental right to a free and fair election."
- 3:05 p.m.: Stocks close 3.4% higher on Wall Street as investors focus on hopeful signs that the coronavirus peak may be approaching.
- 3:05 p.m.: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says 11.4% of the state's workforce -- approximately 367,194 people -- have applied for unemployment benefits since March 16. Walz said unemployment checks "should hit bank accounts" by the end of this week.
- 2:32 p.m.: Salvation Army volunteers to pack and deliver food to over 100 seniors residents in downtown St. Paul.
- 2:00 p.m.: Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday extended Minnesota's stay-at-home order to May 4 to combat the spread of COVID-19.
- 1:58 p.m.: There are now 2,756 positive cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin. The health department announced 99 people have died as of Wednesday.
- 1:51 p.m.: Washington County announces it's accepting personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect first responders.
- 1:30 p.m.: U.S. Bank Stadium to illuminate blue in support of COVID-19 front liners on April 9 at 8 p.m.
- 1:29 p.m.: Life Time Edina LifeCafe launches delivery and curbside takeout.
- 11:11 a.m.: Teachers at Robbinsdale Middle School create ventilator supplies with the school's 3D printer.
- 10:27 a.m.: Amazon announces it has hired more than 80,000 employees, including 600 Minnesotans amid rise in orders due to COVID-19.
- 10:25 a.m.: Minnesota health officials announced Wednesday that there were five more COVID-19 deaths in the state, bringing the death toll to 39. There are now 1,154 cases in the state.
- 10:20 a.m.: Gov. Walz signs bill to protect first responders, workers on front lines of COVID-19.
- 7:49 a.m.: The CDC will soon change its guidelines for self-isolation to make it easier for those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 to return to work if they are asymptomatic, Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday.
- 6:43 a.m.: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey says he's donating $1 billion to COVID-19 relief.
- 6:28 a.m.: The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 is approaching 13,000.
- 5 a.m.: Gov. Tim Walz is slated to give an update on the stay-at-home order Wednesday afternoon. It's expected that he'll extend the order, which is scheduled to expire Friday.
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