Valley City  (CSi)  The  City of Valley City held a Public Health COVID-19 Briefing on April 8. The briefing was closed the public to honor social distancing. Members of the public can view replay on CSI Cable 68.      The program is also online at Facebook.com/TheReplayChannel.  (and below)

Each organization provided updates and information pertaining to recent developments in the COVID-19 response.

City-County Health District Administrator, Theresa Will said, the briefing is to give information on the collaboration of agencies, and entities, in the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said City-County Health workers are trained in contact tracing, of a person who has rested positive, with their close contacts, over the prior 14 days.  The guidelines follow the State Health Department.  Fit testing of face masks has been accomplished with 200 healthcare workers. City/County Health is accepting donations of masks to distribute.

She said as of 5-p.m. Barnes County has performed  59 COVID-19 tests.  Contact local healthcare providers by phone, before visiting them for healthcare needs.  She said local hospitals have beds available at this time for critical care needs in the event of a COVID-19 surge.   Hospitals have a no visitor policy, with the exception of patients at end of life.

Essentia Health will be testing ‘in house’ by later this week, without needing to send the tests to the state lab for results.  She urges observing social distancing, and frequent hand washing with soap and water, and not touch your face.  She said to attend church services, remotely, and arrange for gatherings on line through Skype, Zoom or other programs.

Barnes County Emergency Manager Sue Lloyd, said, on March, 20, 2020 the Barnes County Commission approved a state of emergency in the county, to access funds and resources.

A joint Emergency Operations Center has been established to share information among agencies to pass along to the public.

On the flooding update, she said the Sheyenne River in Valley crested Wednesday morning at 14.4 feet, expected to be steady the next week. Baldhill Dam level wasat 1263.5 feet.  The water outflow release on Wednesday was between 2900 and 3000 cfs. Some pumps have been installed in town to relieve pressure on the sewer system.

Valley City Mayor, Dave Carlsrud, said, next Wednesday April 15, 2020 another COVID-19 Briefing will be held at 5:30-p.m.

He said with the COVID-19 virus awareness, to not travel to Cass County where the positive cases are the highest in the state.   He urges social distancing, and hand washing.

He added that social distancing is a good rule to be adhered to, along with using common sense,  will lessen the needs for a lockdown in Valley City.

He reminded citizens to fill out and return, the census form, and beware of scammers who ask for money in connection with utilizing the census form.  He said to respect others during this time, and spend time with friends and family on line.

Bill Carlblom – Barnes County Commission Chairman, Bill Carlblom said, at the county level, the courthouse is closed to walk-ins.  With voting in the Jun 9 elections, voting will be done by mail-in ballot only, with no physical location, with drop boxes to be available.  He added a good number of county roads that are washed out, or water covered.  He urges motorists to observe barricades, and report to the county any areas that need to be barricaded.

He said during Friday’s the courthouse is not occupied, with staff working from home. Other days, the staff can be reached at the courthouse by phone, or on line.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68.  Members of the public can view the replay on CSi Cable 68 and CSi TV 10 – The Replay Channel.

Valley City  (CSi)  The  City of Valley City held a Public Health COVID-19 Briefing on April 8. The briefing was closed the public to honor social distancing. Members of the public can view live and replay on CSI Cable 68 and CSi TV 10 – The Replay Channel.    The program is also LiveStreamed to Facebook.com/TheReplayChannel.  (and below)

Officials from City-County Health District and Local Government are expected to speak. Speakers will include:

  • Theresa Will – Administrator for City-County Health District
  • Sue Lloyd – Barnes County Emergency Manager
  • Bill Carlblom – Barnes County Commissioner
  • Dave Carlsrud – Valley City Mayor

Each organization will provide updates and information pertaining to recent developments in the COVID-19 response. All officials will be available following the briefing for questions from media partners