Kensington Bank

Kensington Bank has suspended lobby access at their branches as of Saturday, March 28. Other details to follow. Drive-up only services are available at Kensington Bank branches in Belgrade, Cokato, Elrosa and Willmar locations. Lobby availability is limited in Kensington, Herman and St. Cloud offices.

It appears that Italy's COVID-19 death toll will officially be 919 for today. Please include their country in your prayers today. Italy's northern region is the epicenter of their troubles.

The U.S. states of New Jersey, Louisiana and Michigan are now feeling the wrath of COVID-19. As of now, New Jersey's death toll is 27 for today (cumulative total of 108), and Michigan's is 32 (total of 92). The population of New Jersey was 8.9 million as of 2018. Michigan's population was just shy of 10 million in 2018 (9.996 million).

Louisiana, a bit smaller than Minnesota with 4.66 million people, recorded 36 deaths today (cumulative total 119) from COVID-19. The city of New Orleans, where they celebrated Mardi Gras on February 25, is being hit especially hard. A New York Times article from yesterday stated that Louisiana, with more than 2,300 cases as of Thursday afternoon, is experiencing the fastest growth in new cases in the world. Their COVID-19 trajectory is on pace with what's played out in Italy and Spain.

For comparison, Minnesota's 2018 population was projected at 5.611 million. Minnesota's official COVID-19 numbers as of today are: 398 confirmed cases (up 52 from yesterday), four deaths (up two from yesterday) and 260 active cases. A total of 180 COVID-19 patients no longer need isolation. A total of 34 Minnesotans are currently hospitalized for COVID-19.

Minnesota has 14,003 COVID-19 tests on the book.

Some very good news: according to the Veterans Administration, the five V.A. homes in Minnesota remain COVID-19 free.

*Please remember! Kindness and generosity is contagious! Pass it on.

Be well. Stay well.