New COVID figures released: 8, 4, 1

The numbers 8, 4 and 1 are of new significance as of today.

These figures that have a sum of 13, represent the new COVID-19 cases confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Health for the zip codes of 56312 (Belgrade), 56316 (Brooten) and 56325 (Elrosa). The total population of those three zip code areas is 4,285 children and adults.

To be certain, the B-B-E school district includes a fair amount of other territory beyond the Belgrade, Brooten and Elrosa zip codes. If you look in today's Bonanza Valley Voice, you'll see last week's new numbers for a vast area across central Minnesota - including all of the B-B-E district, which has land in the Glenwood, Benson, Sunburg, New London and Sauk Centre zip code areas.

It's noteworthy to see in the Glenwood zip code, which has a population of 5,556...the new cases totaled 15 for today's MDH report.

Alexandria, population 25,080, had 123 new cases confirmed in the past week.

I'm breaking down the other zip code areas today. I might get it all posted at the Bonanza Valley Voice website. Got a few irons in the fire right now!