Picture-perfect spring weather welcomes start of the new week. For the rest of March, we’ll be able to enjoy plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures across Minnesota. The first couple of days next month will be cloudy, rainy -- and snowy for some parts of the state. But we’re not a stranger to April snow, right?

COVID-19 in Minnesota today: 576 confirmed cases; 10 deaths; 24 in intensive care. The jump from Sunday to Monday, 73 new cases, was the largest increase in Minnesota’s COVID-19 cases since the pandemic arrived in the state in early March. Now more than half of Minnesota counties have confirmed cases of the viral disease.

Stay up-to-date on Minnesota’s COVID-19 news. Subscribe to our Minnesota Daily podcast to get the latest local news that matters to you. We give you updates on Minnesota’s COVID-19 situation and response daily.

Is the U.S. doing more testing than any other country, as Trump claims? Not really. The U.S. has performed 894,000 tests as of Saturday, but when it comes to the actual per-capita count, it still lags behind other countries like Italy and South Korea, NPR reports. About 1 in 366 people are getting tested in the U.S., while in Italy 1 in 133 people are being tested — about three times more, per capita, than in the U.S.

Your daily dose of sweetness: In Rochester, stuffed bears greet you around the town, through windows. If you're out for a walk in Rochester, keep your eyes open for stuffed bears and other critters. Everywhere around town, people are putting stuffed animals in their windows to surprise and delight cooped-up kids. Reporter Catharine Richert takes us on an expedition with her family.

Take a short break from all the news, and take a walk with us. Come join us on a spring hike at Wolsfeld Woods Scientific and Natural Area -- virtually. Watch the latest Zencast here. Are you doing anything special to help keep your spirits up during this time of social distancing? Share your stories and words of encouragement here!