BREAKING NEWS
A 40 percent reduction in new cases was what was reported in today's Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 zip code report for the zip codes of Belgrade, Brooten and Elrosa. Two of the three B-B-E zip codes showed big declines, while one remained the same, compared to the prior week. For the September 23 report, the B-B-E zip codes of about 4,300 people posted the number of 14 new cases in the period of September 16 to September 22.
Belgrade 56312 - 8 new cases (12 last week)
Brooten 56316 - 4 new cases (4 last week)
Elrosa 56325 - 2 new cases (7 last week)
While we can't hang our hat on "14 is a great number and we have nothing to worry about" - this huge reduction of 40 percent is something to celebrate and feel good about. This is happening while our school is wide open and full of activity.
The numbers are almost stunning to review by other area zip codes. Almost without exception, all COVID case count increases were static or declining from the September 16 report to the September 23 report. This is all happening while all area schools are utilizing full-time school with masks "recommended" but optional for K-12 students at school - with one exception. That exception is Alexandria elementary schools, where the doomsdayers force masks on children in order to allow them into their buildings.
IRONIC: despite their population being almost the same, there is more per-capita COVID in the Alexandria community than there is in Willmar...yet Willmar is not forcing masks on their children as a requirement of entry into their buildings. Let that sink in.
I can't get more added here until after lunch, and hopefully I'll get the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper website updated soon as well. I glanced at two nearby zip codes and saw small numbers: Kerkhoven was 3 and Sunburg was 2 and New London was a 6.