Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held a COVID-19 news briefing, at the state capital in Bismarck, on Saturday, with Grand Forks Mayor Michael R. Brown to discuss the response to the increase in COVID-19 cases related to the LM Wind Power facility.   Comments start at about 20 minutes into video. . .

https://www.facebook.com/ndhealth/videos/566189310943036/?t=1277

Please note that due to the increase in positive cases in ND we will be following suit with other states and, instead of providing individual test results (gender/age/county/exposure), will be adding additional helpful information on our website soon. The daily BY THE NUMBERS and DEATHS will still be sent daily at 11am along with any updates to the website.

Below are the COVID-19 results as of April 17, 2020.

COUNTIES WITH POSITIVE CASES

  • Barnes County – 1
  • Reported Fri. By CSiNewsNow.com
  • Burleigh County – 4
  • Cass County – 16
  • Grand Forks County – 68
  • Williams County – 1

 

 

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

12,963 – Total Tested (+621 individuals from yesterday)
12,435 – Negative (+532 individuals from yesterday)
528 – Positive (+90 individuals from yesterday)
* Please note that a previously reported positive case from Grand Forks County was from Minnesota and was removed from our positive total. 
47 – Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)
13 – Currently Hospitalized (-3 individuals from yesterday)
183 – Recovered (+11 individuals from yesterday)
9 – Death (+0 individual from yesterday)

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

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 said the state is well prepared with adequate hospital beds in the event of a surge in positive cases.

He talked about LM Wind Power’s plant in Grand Forks, owned by General Electric, employing 900 workers.

He said on Tuesday eight LM workers tested positive, and the state Response team responded, along with the National Guard assisting in conjunction with the Grand Forks Health Department.

Burgum said since then 110  employees have tested COVID-19 positive, with 22 more lab test results out, as of Saturday afternoon.  One employee has been hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Saturday afternoon.   Close contacts with those individuals will be determined with contact tracing.  A thorough plant cleaning is being conducted and is a critical manufacturing plant, designated by the Department of Homeland Security.

The uptick in cases at the LM Wind Power facility in Grand Forks led to the drive-thru screening of 424 people who were identified has having had close contact with some of the infected workers. About 2,500 people are at risk of the spread.

State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte has ordered all LM employees, positives and others with close contacts into quarantine. It only applies to co-workers, and not family members of a positive employee.

LM Wind Power’s parent company, GE, said it has temporarily closed the Grand Forks facility for at least two weeks to conduct an extensive disinfection process while also continuing to pay employees as usual during this period. The company also has asked employees to stay home during that time.

Burgum reminded all residents to observe social distancing.

Mayor Brown said the Rapid Response Team responded quickly and he thanked all responders, and he expects, “a prolonged battle,”to ensue.

He urged all Grand Forks residents to stay home, and otherwise observe social distancing, and use goof hygiene and sanitation.

Altru Health President, Dr. Steven Weiser, on the phone thanked the state for a strong swift response, adding that Altru has in place previous plans to handle positive cases, and offers testing.  He said Altru has 292 critical care beds available, and 88 ventilators.  He said the main thrust is to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

With homelessness, Burgum said,  a multi-agency task force announced a new temporary shelter program in North Dakota for vulnerable individuals who are homeless and who cannot safely stay at existing homeless and domestic violence shelters because they have tested positive for COVID-19, are showing symptoms and awaiting test results, or need to be in quarantine because of recent travel to the state from hotspot areas.

The new shelter and support program, which has been set up temporarily during this public health emergency, is currently serving 12 people in a couple of communities. If needs grow, officials are prepared to expand to serve homeless individuals who need to self-isolate in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot and Williston.

To access the temporary shelter program,  individuals must be referred by a homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter, hospital, public health unit or other partner agency. Local human service zone offices (formerly known as county social service offices) will work directly with any homeless individuals or families referred to the program. Individuals cannot refer themselves.

Shelter location information will not be provided due to health-related privacy concerns and safety considerations. Some participants are fleeing domestic violence.

Burgum announced, unemployment pandemic claim payments have been put into claimants accounts by Monday…with 60,000 back weeks.

He reiterated for resident to observe social distancing and good hygiene practices, and not to gather in crowds greater than 10.

He said restart of the state will be based on data, as more active positive  cases are greater than ever in North Dakota.  April 30 is the targeted date to reopen businesses, and will be reviewed for a possible extension at that time.