Governor Walz Secures Extension of Emergency Federal Medical Teams for Minnesota Hospitals

Statement

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced an extension of the federal government's emergency staffing support at two Minnesota hospitals following his appeal to President Biden for additional support.

Two Department of Defense emergency staffing teams will continue to support staff and treat patients at HCMC in Minneapolis and St. Cloud Hospital through late January 2022. The teams arrived in Minnesota in November on initial 30-day deployments and will remain for an additional 30 days after Governor Walz requested an extension this week in a letter to the White House.

"We are at a critical moment in our pandemic response, and we are using every resource available to relive the pressure on our overworked health care personnel and to make sure patients receive the treatment they need and deserve," said Governor Walz. "I am astounded by the resiliency of our doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, and my administration is working every day to help make their jobs easier. That's why I'm grateful to President Biden and his administration for accepting our urgent request for more staffing support in our hospitals."

"Our medical personnel continue to feel the strain of COVID-19. We are relieved and thankful that the Biden Administration has extended its support for our doctors, nurses, hospitals, and, ultimately, patients seeking care," said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. "While Minnesota's hospital personnel and these federal medical teams are on the front line of this pandemic, every Minnesotan has a role to play, right now, in helping fight COVID-19. Please get vaccinated, get boosted when you're due, get tested if you feel ill, and wear a mask in public."

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