Defense Department will help relieve 2 Minnesota hospitals

Gov. Tim Walz says the Department of Defense will send medical teams to two major Minnesota hospitals to relieve doctors and nurses who’ve been swamped by a growing wave of COVID-19 patients.

The teams, with 22 people each, will arrive at Hennepin County Medical Center and St. Cloud Hospital next week and begin treating patients immediately.

Minnesota has become one of the country’s worst hotspots for new COVID-19 infections. Hospital beds are filling up with unvaccinated people, and staffs are being worn down by the surge.

Walz made the announcement from the Finnish capital of Helsinki, the latest stop on his European trade mission.