Gov Burgum’s Tues News Briefing – Video

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum  held his daily News Briefing, concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday , in Bismarck. Video starts at 16 minutes into video.

Bismarck   NDDoH  The North Dakota Department of Health has released their updated COVID-19 numbers for March 24.

A.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 23 at 3 p.m. – March 24 at 9 a.m.

• Man in his 20s from Dunn County, travel
• Woman in her 60s from Burleigh County, travel

P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 24 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Man in his 70s from Cass County, under investigation
• Man in his 90s from Cass County , under investigation

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Under Investigation

BY THE NUMBERS

1602 – Total Tested (+162 individuals from yesterday)

1566 – Negative (+158 individuals from yesterday)

36 – Positive (+4 individuals new from yesterday)

7– Hospitalized (+3 individuals new from yesterday)

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Burgum urges people to keep a journal who they have been in contact with, in the event a case tracker should contact them concerning an individual that tested positive.

He urges people to keep a journal who they have been in contact with, in the event a case tracker should contact them concerning an individual that tested positive.

Bank of North Dakota (BND) shared its student loan relief plans to assist borrowers impacted by COVID-19 with the Industrial Commission Tuesday. Effective immediately, borrowers may request to defer payments for six months.  To request the deferment of payments, borrowers can complete a simple form online at bnd.nd.gov/covid or call 800.472.2166 extension 328.5660.

Also the interest rate for variable rate borrowers decreases April 1, 2020, so BND will reduce payments to reflect the new interest rate. In addition, all borrowers with a fixed interest rate will receive a decrease in their interest rates by at least 1 percent when the Bank is able to work through technical issues.

Beginning Tuesday, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has temporarily lifted seasonal load restrictions on all state highways to minimize disruption of the supply chain during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This change was made after Gov. Doug Burgum enacted an executive order in response to the public health crisis resulting from COVID-19.

Burgum said, “This order temporarily lifts weight restrictions on our state’s highways to ensure our citizens are able to get the resources they need in a timely manner as we see an increase in demand for goods and services.”

Barnes County Highway Road Superintendent Kerry Johnson says even though Governor Burgum lifted restrictions on State highway it does not include Barnes County roads., which will remain restricted until further notice.

During this time, the NDDOT director still has the authority to implement load and weight restrictions as deemed appropriate under current law if it is determined that removal of this restriction is negatively impacting the roadway or creating a safety risk.

Through Executive Order the NDDOT is holding Administrative Hearings by video conferencing.

Lt. Governor Brent Sanford said he was on the phone Tuesday with mayors and auditors with updates on Executive Orders, claim numbers, and state budget planning.

With long term care, Burgum said 20 percent of North Dakota residents are in long term care facilities. 218 long terms care facilities have been visited by 20 state officials.   As of Tuesday no positive COVID-19 results in North Dakota nursing homes.

He stressed social (physical) distancing…covering coughing and sneezes, clean and sanitize surfaces, along with regular washing of hands with soap and water.

He suggested going on walks for activities.

He asked that people to check with access livestock sale barns, some are offering videos.

In other state news…

The North Dakota Department of Human Services’ eight regional human service clinics and their four satellite clinics are continuing to provide medically-necessary behavioral health services to vulnerable North Dakotans. The clinics located in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot and Williston with satellite clinics in Grafton, Rolla, Valley City and the Off Main location in Fargo, offer behavioral health services focused on chronic disease management and behavioral health crises.

The clinics primarily serve individuals with chronic, serious mental illness and substance use disorders, including pregnant women and others who use intravenous drugs.

Dr. Rosalie Etherington, chief clinical officer for the state’s human service clinic system, says,

“The clinics remain open and staffed by our dedicated behavioral health professionals. We will continue to serve individuals in crisis and others who are experiencing serious behavioral health needs.”

For more information, including a list of crisis phone numbers and behavioral health walk-in hours at each clinic, visit www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/regionalhsc/.

Gov. Doug Burgum says North Dakota could be one of the last states to lift restrictions meant to help contain the coronavirus, mainly because it’s part of the final wave of the pandemic, President Donald Trump said earlier in the day he would like the U.S. economy to begin revving up by Easter, when he believes it might be possible to relax some of the federal restrictions and put some people back to work. Burgum says it wouldn’t make sense to pick one date for every state. He says North Dakota’s controls came later than most states and may have to remain in place longer.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $249,297 to four health centers in North Dakota stemming from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020.  Health center recipients in North Dakota may use these awards to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies and boost their telehealth capacity in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.