Good morning. Here’s what you need to know this Tuesday. HIghs reach into the lower 50s for parts of the state. Including the Twin Cities, which also see 10 to 15 mph winds and some drizzle. At night, a 40 percent chance of rain with lows near 40. Statewide, some morning fog with highs of at least the lower 40s and possible nighttime rain. More on Updraft. | Forecast What’s on the radio today Minnesota officials' project between 40 and 80 percent of Minnesotans will be infected with COVID-19 before the pandemic lets up, Gov. Tim Walz said Monday, as he considered more aggressive measures to curb the new coronavirus' spread. While the "vast majority" of those cases would be mild, Walz said, he is still considering a shelter-in-place order for the state. If enacted, he said its duration would “probably have to be more like multiple weeks to months." Asked Monday about whether Minnesota would cancel school for the year, Walz said: "As the situation evolves it may become necessary to do that." For now, he wants virtual and distance learning to take root. Minnesota had 235 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Monday, but public health officials said that number is actually much higher — testing remains limited to the highest-risk patients — and that community spread was happening throughout the state. The governor and other state leaders made several other announcements concerning the COVID-19 outbreak and the government's response: A small-business loan program beginning later this week could make up to 5,000 businesses eligible for loans between $2,500 and $35,000. Walz's revised budget request seeks an additional $356 million for coronavirus response. Elective veterinary serves are halted to preserve the stock of personal protective equipment, or PPEs. The National Guard will disperse PPEs from Camp Ripley as officials develop a centralized system to manage Minnesota’s stock of the supplies. Officials pleaded with Minnesotans to stay home whenever possible, limit contact with others and wash their hands often. "We should assume that [COVID-19 is] in all of our communities," Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm told reporters Monday. MN nursing home residents and their families deal with restrictions: Across Minnesota, nursing homes have closed their doors to visitors in all but the most dire circumstances to keep the novel coronavirus away from those most in danger of dying from the respiratory illness. State officials say they have confirmed four cases of COVID-19 in elder care facilities. Why Gov. Walz hasn't invoked shelter in place: Gov. Tim Walz said Monday there’s disagreement among experts about whether such a move will help suppress the virus. He says public health officials are still trying to gauge the impact of the restrictions already in place. Minnesota’s rural communities brace themselves for COVID-19: Confirmed cases of COVID-19 are showing up in rural counties across the state as the virus continues its spread in Minnesota. And because many rural areas have limited health care options — and often a small number of workers to keep critical services going — health workers and local officials are paying close attention to the coronavirus’ trajectory, and bracing themselves as they plan. Travelers from Minnesota still trying to get home after countries impose COVID-19 limits: Minnesotans are still trying to get back after some countries temporarily suspended air travel because of coronavirus concerns. As of Friday, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities reported nearly 1,000 students had already returned from their study abroad programs, but 239 were still overseas.
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