No new confirmed cases of covid 19 in the area as the total number in Minnesota rises to 115. It was at 89 yesterday. The Minnesota Department of Health says not all cases of COVID-19 are tested, so it is not a representative of the total number of people in Minnesota who have or had COVID-19. All data are preliminary and may change as we investigate the cases. There have been 3,856 total tests taken. Counties with cases: Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Chisago, Clay, Dakota, Filmore, Hennepin, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, Scott, Stearns, Waseca, Washington, Wright

A top Minnesota political analyst warns economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic could turn the state budget surplus into a sea of red ink. Hamline University's David Schultz says the latest forecast which came out in late February predicted a 1.5-billion-dollar budget surplus, assuming no major changes in the economy -- but now... "We're seeing Minnesota as well as the rest of the country facing major economic changes. I would bet at this point that we are already in a deficit or very close to running a deficit now, because of the way the economy is shifting." Schultz says the legislature [...]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. officials are expected to announce new restrictions on the southern border Friday as they try to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. and Mexico have been working on plans to halt much of the cross-border travel without disrupting trade. Officials on both sides of the border say the plan is expected to look much like restrictions already announced on all-but-essential travel and trade between the U.S. and Canada. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf says, “We want to make sure that cargo continues, trade continues, heath care workers continue to be able to [...]

In response to COVID-19’s impact on regional nonprofits, the Greater Mankato Area United Way (GMAUW) and Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) have come together to create a Community Response Fund to assist in their joint efforts to address emerging needs in the communities they serve. The initial goal of the Community Response Fund is to address short-term emergency nonprofit needs throughout our region. MAF will administer grants from this fund in partnership with GMAUW. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and [...]

The Hong Kong low-cost airline HK Express, part of the Cathay Pacific Group, is suspending all flights through the end of April due to falling demand from the coronavirus outbreak. The airline said it tentatively plans to resume flying May 1. HK Express normally flies 25 routes throughout Asia. Walmart plans to hire 150,000 U.S. hourly workers for its stores and distribution centers through the end of May. The roles will be temporary at first but many will convert to permanent jobs, said Walmart spokesman Dan Bartlett.

The Twin Valley Boy Scouts are helping local food shelves. Traditionally the Twin Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, runs a “Scouting for Food” campaign in March to collect food for 33 different food banks in South Central Minnesota.  With the COVID-19 virus, they are not able to run this campaign as usual.  However, they feel this is too important of a service project to cancel. Now they've developed an on-line giving platform be able to raise cash donations to then send to local food banks.  Donors will be able to designate which food banks they would like to support including [...]

The name of the deceased person in structure fire (information below) at 413 North Fourth Street is Howard Vern Easton, age 64, Mankato. Original information: Public Safety responded to a structure fire in a fourth-floor apartment at 413 North Fourth Street at 2:03 a.m. this morning (March 19). Firefighters extinguished the fire. Upon arrival, a person was found not breathing. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, and the person was pronounced deceased. The name is not being released until family is notified. Two minor injuries were also reported; others evacuated the building safely. Smoke alarm and sprinkler systems were activated. Damages are estimated [...]

Parent/guardian help needed Parents and guardians, please do everything you can to limit your child[ren]’s in-person social interactions with friends and acquaintances over the coming days. Although this may not be easy to do; it’s for the health and safety of everyone to have students physically apart and avoid meeting in groups. Please encourage phone calls, video chats, social messaging or other non-physical contact.   We all need to do our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Mankato Area Public Schools say Breakfast and lunch will be available in two additional locations beginning March 23: Eagle Elementary School, 500 Le Sueur Ave, Eagle Lake, (door 2r in front of school) All Saints Church, 605 Fourth St, Madison Lake (north parking lot across street from church, just off of Highway 60).   Any families that have students 18-years-old and under are welcome to participate in this service through Friday, March 27. All drive through pick-up services are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration is not required.

View this as a webpage March 19, 2020 Situation in Minnesota Total lab-confirmed positive tests as of March 19, 2020: 89 The number of lab-confirmed positive tests among Minnesota residents will be updated daily on Situation Update for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with test results from the previous day. The total number of cases is likely an underestimate, as we know the the virus is circulating in communities. It is important for everyone to follow advice on community mitigation and social distancing to help us flatten the case curve. Minnesota News and Outreach Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that no later than 5 p.m. [...]