Gov Burgum’s Sat News Briefing Video

Bismarck  (CSi) 3-28-20) – Gov. Doug Burgum held a Saturday news briefing with State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte and Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, head of the Department of Emergency Services, to discuss steps being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota.  Comments start at approximately 13 minutes into video . . . scroll forward.

He began with updated COVID -19 numbers updated at 3-p.m., on Saturday March 28, 2020.

P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 28 at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

• Man in his 30s from Cass County, community spread
• Woman in her 20s from Morton County, under investigation
• Woman in her 40s from Divide County, under investigation
• Man in his 50s from Mercer County, under investigation
• Woman in her 50s from Ward County, close contact
• Man in his 30s from Ward County, close contact
• Man in his 20s from Ward County, under investigation
• Man in his 40s from McLean County, under investigation
• Woman in her 40s from McLean County, under investigation
• Woman in her 30s from Burleigh County, under investigation
• Man in his 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation

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

BY THE NUMBERS

3107 – Total Tested (+399 individuals from yesterday)

3013 – Negative (+373 individuals from yesterday)

94 – Positive (+26 individuals from yesterday)

16 – Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

18 – Recovered (+3 individuals from yesterday)

1 – Death (+0 individuals from yesterday)

Previously…

COVID-19 Positive Test Results for March 28, 2020 

A.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 27 at 3 p.m. – March 28 at 9 a.m.

• Woman in her 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation
• Man in his 30s from Cass County, community spread
• Man in his 60s from Sioux County, community spread
• Man in his 30s from Stark County, under investigation
• Man in his 40s from Morton County, under investigation
• Man in his 30s from Stark County, close contact
• Man in his 30s from Burleigh County, under investigation
• Man in his 40s from Burleigh County, under investigation
• Man in his 60s from Barnes County, under investigation 
• Woman in her 50s from Barnes County, under investigation
• Woman in her 60s from Cass County, under investigation
• Woman in her 20s from Cass County, under investigation
• Woman in her 50s from Cass County, travel
• Man in his 40s from Cass County, under investigation
• Woman in her 20s from Cass County, under investigation

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.

Burgum says the information is latent in that test results under reports, to a degree, and a lag time waiting for test to come back which may indicate positive results.

He reminded residents to limit trips to essential trips, and observe social distancing, and not attend social gatherings with more than 10 people. Stay home if sick, even with mild symptoms.  Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially if you have been in public places.   Sanitize frequently.

He issued no new Executive Orders on Saturday.

He said he has low confidence in estimated model estimates that shows North Dakota could see an increase in new positive cases within three weeks of between 600 and 1300.  He stressed those numbers could be way off.

ND National Guard Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, head of the Department of Emergency Services,

The Guard is planning for the future in a worse case scenario of positive cases.

He explained that the 55 hospitals in the state have planned for expansion of bed spaces, with a total of bed space available in a surge of  patients.  Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich reported at the Saturday mayors conference call with the state that JRMC has the ability to expand to 64 beds for critical care.

Retired health workers are asked to be on standby to assist, with a pool of people available to be established.

That includes setting up additional hospitals in the state in existing spaces.

With ventilators the current total state count is now 408, with the state looking for more.

 State Health Dept. Updates

State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte Saturday signed a confinement order directing individuals to quarantine for 14 days if traveling back to North Dakota from all international locations and states in the U.S. classified as having widespread disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Given the global pandemic we’re in, it’s crucial to minimize the exposure of individuals who have traveled from places with widespread disease,” Tufte said. “Reach out to neighbors by phone or video and offer to drop groceries off on their front porch. We’re in this together.”

State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte outlined symptoms of COVID-19, which should be tested for a positive result.  The State Health Department has more specific information, which will assist with contact tracing stemming from those positive being in connect with other individuals.

Workforce sectors that are exempt from the order include: health care and public health; law enforcement, public safety and other first responders; food and agriculture; energy; water and wastewater; transportation and logistics; public works and infrastructure support services; communications and information technology; other community or government-based operations and essential functions; critical manufacturing; hazardous materials; financial services; chemical; defense industrial base; commercial facilities; residential/shelter facilities and services; hygiene products and services. These individuals should limit interactions with others as much as possible and monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Affected individuals are encouraged to fill out the travel survey found on the NDDoH website to receive information on how to monitor for symptoms.
 

EMERGENCY LICENSURE 

As directed by Gov. Doug Burgum through executive order 2020-05.1 and as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, licensing requirements have been suspended for health care and behavioral health professionals currently licensed and in good standing in other states. This allows North Dakota to recognize out-of-state licensures to increase capacity of health care workers.
 

Interested health care and behavioral health professionals must complete an online application which includes proof of identity, proof of licensure and a letter of good standing in another state. There is no cost to obtain a temporary emergency license. Licensure will be valid for the duration of the declared state of emergency. The application and more information can be found at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus.
 

COVID-19 RISK ASSESSMENT 

The NDDoH also added a COVID-19 risk assessment for people who have COVID-19 symptoms. The survey will help individuals decide whether they should seek immediate medical care and will allow them to list close contacts. This will aid the NDDoH in better understanding what symptoms individuals present at onset of illness and will help the department increase contact tracing efforts. A close contact is defined as someone you’ve been within 6 feet of for more than 15 minutes of time. Only individuals who later test positive will receive a follow-up call from the NDDoH.
 

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Individuals should limit social gatherings to less than 10 people and keep 6 feet away from others when you’re out.  
  

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

With Schools, Burgum said all 175 school districts have submitted their plans for at home, age appropriate learning, with  47 approved so far with the plans to be activated pn April 1, 2020.  Schools buildings are restricted to essential staff only, as classes remain closed indefinitely.

Friday’s unemployment claims were 2,473.