Duluth-based Essentia Health to lay off 900 employees
May 22, 2020 4:51AM CDT
DULUTH, Minn. (Star Tribune) — Essentia Health says it is laying off 900 employees as the coronavirus pandemic cuts into business.
Essentia Health CEO David Herman said Thursday that the recent cost-reduction measures the Duluth-based health care system has taken “are not sufficient to preserve our mission and the health of the organization.” The Star Tribune reports the cuts represent 6 percent of Essentia’s workforce. The cuts are in addition to 850 Essentia employees who have been placed on administrative leave.
Minnesota hospitals are dealing with a steep drop in business while preparing for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients. Routine visits have been postponed and elective surgeries were not allowed until recently.
