Minnesota health officials had been watching for signs that a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus had entered the state — and over the weekend, they received confirmation.

The Health Department reported late Saturday that five people in the Twin Cities metro area had contracted the variant — and that it likely was more widespread across the state.

This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer.

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