(CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily COVID-19 news briefing Wednesday from the state capital in Bismarck.  Comments starts at about 11 minutes into video.

ND Dept of Health Joint Information Center press briefing with Governor Doug Burgum 4/29

ND Dept of Health Joint Information Center press briefing with Governor Doug Burgum 4/29Briefing will begin at approximately 3:30pm

Posted by North Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Wednesday, April 29, 2020 – 11:03am

Categories: Coronavirus

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

  • Burleigh County – 2
  • Cass County – 20
  • Grand Forks County – 16
  • McKenzie County – 1
  • Stark County – 2
  • Stutsman County – 1
  • 6th positive

 

BY THE NUMBERS

25,536 – Total Tested (+1,813 individuals from yesterday)

24,503 – Total Negative (+1,771 individuals from yesterday)

1,033 – Total Positive (+42 individuals from yesterday)

82 – Total Hospitalized (+3 individuals from yesterday)

28 – Currently Hospitalized (+3 individuals from yesterday)

437 – Total Recovered (+28 individuals from yesterday)

19 – Total Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

Burgum then outlined Tuesday’s previously announced ND Smart Restart Guidelines, and the eight protocols and included in the Executive Order information. “North Dakota Smart Restart” protocols

He stressed that the new Amended Executive Order regarding the restart takes effect at 8-a.m., on May 1, and not before that day.

The amended executive order providing additional guidance for businesses that are resuming or continuing operations under the “North Dakota Smart Restart” protocols developed in collaboration with the business community to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The protocols initially released Tuesday included operating standards for all industries, as well as specific guidance for several high-contact business sectors including restaurants and bars; hair, nail and tanning salons and other cosmetology-related businesses; tattoo and body piercing businesses; massage therapy facilities; and fitness centers. Additional ND Smart Restart protocols were provided today for movie theaters, including limiting capacity and group sizes, allowing for proper spacing between groups and staggering showtimes to decrease congestion in common areas.

These businesses, which experienced temporarily closures or access restrictions under the previous executive order that expires Thursday, April 30, may begin to re-open at 8 a.m. Friday, May 1, if the ND Smart Restart standard procedures and industry-specific rules are adopted and rigorously followed. Recreation and sports arenas, and music and entertainment venues, will remain closed until further notice.

Local businesses are  awaiting more information before reopening their doors.   Those include Jamestown Parks and Recreation facilities, Bison 6 Cinema, and the All Vets Club

He said the state continues to receive input from school officials on continued closed schools and distance learning.  He said by Friday this week the state may have a decision on continuing, or not, distance learning.  He said, a consideration may be given to starting the 2020-2021 school year ahead of the typical start dates.

Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones outlined protections for vulnerable populations.  He said a team has been established to move forward with efforts for people in such areas, but not limited to, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and corrections.

He said with visiting, policies, no changes limiting visitation in congregate housing settings

With the homeless population, scattered housing for COVID positive people has been set up, for isolation and quarantining.

 

Burgum reminded residents that the June 9, elections will have no physical voting polls, and will be by Vote by Mail, only, for all North Dakotans, and American Indian Tribes.

He talked about applications being mailed out, followed by sending the applications to county auditors, and then the mail-in ballot will be sent.  Ballots must be back to the courthouse, mailed in, received by June 8, and in person not later than 4-p.m., June 9, election day.

 

With unemployment, 2336 recorded new claims from Tuesday, for a total of regular claims since March 16, 2020 are at 63,929, with 1163 pandemic claims.  Software coding has been updated, and self-employed payments going out Wednesday evening, along with claimants still to receive benefit payments, and amendment payments still owed.

 

Movie theaters that chose to reopen, will be limited to 20 percent attendance and staggered start times, starting on Friday this week.  Seating will be in accordance with social distancing, no closer than six feet to another person.   Employees will be wearing protective face masks.

 

With Burgum announcing that closed businesses, including bars and restaurants, can reopen Friday, May 1 (after 8-a.m., May 1)   under new guidelines, in order to remove impaired drivers from the road, the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) will have extra patrols beginning May 1 through May 3.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the NDHP want to remind drivers that alcohol and drug-related crashes are 100% preventable. In 2019, 42% of North Dakota motor vehicle fatalities were alcohol-related. Many lives would be saved each year if everyone made the choice to drive sober or find a sober ride.

Lt. Adam Dvorak of the NDHP  says, “Many North Dakotans will be eager to enjoy a drink at their favorite establishment when bars and restaurants reopen. (After 8-a.m., May 1).  There are serious consequences when you drive impaired. If you choose to consume alcohol this weekend, take personal responsibility and find a sober ride.”

As businesses open and traffic increases, every driver and vehicle occupant can help meet the Vision Zero goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. This means wearing a seat belt at all times, using appropriate child passenger safety seats, driving distraction-free, driving sober, and obeying all posted speed limits.

Learn more about safety initiatives at VisionZero.ND.gov or join the conversation on the Vision Zero ND Facebook or Twitter page.

With behavioral health, Burgum talked about how to help veterans in need, including suicide preventions efforts.  Phone numbers and more information regarding suicide prevention training at the state’s behavior health website.

Burgum pointed out that there are now 27,500 subscribers to CARE-19 tracing app, now available to android phone users, through the Google Play Store.