Coronavirus

The Missouri Hospital Association's annual report shows vacancies and turnover rates at the state's hospitals have decreased since the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2021. But they remain high, and employers are concerned about the future workforce.

After more than three years and thousands of COVID-19 deaths in Missouri, the end of the public health emergency heralds a new phase in which the virus is present but less dangerous to the general public.

Anthony Fauci, who became a nationally recognized face of the public health response during the coronavirus pandemic, told graduating medical students to fight scientific disinformation during a commencement speech in St. Louis on Monday.

A report from Illinois Humanities finds the groups it funds lost $24 million in revenue during the pandemic, but also developed creative ways to adapt and meet community needs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government prevented states from kicking people off MO HealthNet, Missouri's Medicaid health insurance program. That provision ends April 1, and state residents will once more need to prove their eligibility for the low-cost coverage.

Three years into the COVID pandemic, some St. Louis-area hospitals have decided to drop mask requirements, citing decreased infection levels.

In the year after Missouri expanded Medicaid, the state struggled to sign up people for the government-funded health insurance program. Now, more than 1 million Missourians are enrolled. The federal government barred states from kicking anyone off Medicaid during the coronavirus pandemic. But when those protections expire this spring, patients will need to renew their coverage. Advocates and health officials worry that eligible people could drop off the rolls.

Researchers from the University of Missouri and Washington University, studying St. Louis Children’s Hospital emergency room data, found more children are coming to the ER with gun shot injuries than before the coronavirus pandemic began in early 2020.

Dr. Kanika Cunningham for years has worked as a primary care physician at a community health clinic in St. Louis. As St. Louis County's new health director, she wants to bring that experience addressing patients’ medical and other needs to her work.

While unemployment is at a near historic low, many businesses are still struggling to find workers – as many otherwise eligible workers in Missouri are out with short or long-term complications of long COVID.