BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – The North Dakota Department of Health tested 32 more people for COVID-19 over the weekend. All came back negative. The State has tested 93 people so far with 86 negative, six still pending, and one confirmed case.
Governor Doug Burgum meet with members of the state’s COVID-19 Unified Command this weekend. Members discussed actions taken so far to prevent and slow the spread of coronavirus and how to continue and expand upon the efforts of the Department of Health’s Emergency Operations Center, which has been in place since January.
Steps taken to prevent infections in North Dakota include,
- In an effort to streamline testing, the NDDoH sent a health alert to North Dakota health care providers on Friday stating that providers no longer need to call the NDDoH Division of Disease Control prior to testing.
- The governor, NDDoH and Department of Public Instruction issued guidance for K-12 schools, including recommendations based on four situations with varying risk levels. The NDDoH does not recommend child care or school closures if COVID-19 cases are not occurring in the community or school. As of Saturday, there were no reported cases of community transmission of COVID-19 in North Dakota. Schools should follow CDC guidance regarding preparing for COVID-19. Guidance includes monitoring absenteeism, keeping sick children out, ensuring handwashing, environmental cleaning and communicating with parents.
- Over the past week, the NDDoH hosted several virtual meetings with more than 3,500 total participants to provide updates on COVID-19, answer questions and recommend action steps they can take to prepare. These groups include health care, physicians, long-term care, business, faith-based organizations, K-12 education, university systems, corrections and rehabilitation, tribal partners, community leaders and others.
- The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) suspended contact visitation, as well as the admission of new residents until March 23. On that date the DOCR plans to re-open admissions with a screening process, strategy for testing, intake processing and areas for holding/quarantining for 14 days, when needed.
- The Department of Transportation has doubled cleaning efforts in public areas including rest stops, Driver’s License and Motor Vehicle locations.
