Gov Burgum’s Tues COVID-19 News briefing

Bismarck (CSi)   Gov Doug Burgum aired COVID-19 News Briefing Tues afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck.

He was joined by North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Division of Microbiology Director Dr. Christie Massen.

North Dakota health officials reported 43 new cases of COVID-19, including 38 in the state’s most populous county that contains Fargo. Statewide, there were 2,422 confirmed cases as of Tuesday. Cass County has recorded 1,580 of the confirmed cases.

NDDoH

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 – 11:11am

Categories: Coronavirus

LAB EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION

The lab experienced a recent malfunction on two pieces of lab equipment. Out of an abundance of caution, 82 positive results will be considered inconclusive and the individuals have been asked to retest. All the facilities involved have been notified. The issue was caught quickly and early; the malfunction has been corrected and has not impacted lab processing.

The retests will run over the next couple of days – an update will be provided in future news releases and more information will be provided at the news conference on Tuesday. For now, the previous results remain in the total positive count and will be adjusted after the results are in. More to come.

Total Retests Complete: 65

Positive: 1

Negative: 64

1 individual declined testing and is self-isolate at home

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Cass County – 38
• Grand Forks County – 3
• Rolette County – 1
• Walsh County – 1

BY THE NUMBERS

85,479 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+976 total tests from yesterday)

66,854 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+504 unique individuals from yesterday)

64,432 – Total Negative (+539 unique individuals from yesterday)

2,422 – Total Positive (43 unique individuals from yesterday)
Updated to reflect the change the reversal in positives due to the equipment malfunction in the lab.  

4.4% – Daily Positivity Rate**

156 – Total Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

Burgum said that’s just two percent of the ND Hospital Capacity

40 – Currently Hospitalized (-1 individuals from yesterday)

1,701 – Total Recovered (+150 individuals from yesterday)

54 – Total Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

Addressing the lab testing issues over the past few  days,  two new lab testing equipment pieces  have been added, for a total of 15 testing machines in service operating 24/7.

North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Division of Microbiology Director Dr. Christie Massen, said the asymptomatic case rate, is at 30-percent.  She explained that false positive testings do occur, which are difficult to identify, and inconclusive results are retested.

She said if sick, to stay home, and all should wear at face mask when going out in public.

Burgum addressed the issue of opioid  addition, and noted the opioid overdose resources available through the State of North Dakota, including the availability of NARCAN to assist anyone experiencing an opioid overdose.  Recovering Talk is available at 1-844-44TALK2

He said the SAFER Grants are available to fire departments, for recruitment and other needs of full time and volunteer fire departments. The application deadline is Wednesday  May 27, 2020, through FEMA.

He pointed out that May 26, 2020 is the anniversary of Jamestown native, Peggy Lee’s birth, adding that she was the fifth North Dakotan inducted into the Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider Hall of Fame.

He said with the launch of  SpaceX  at 3:30-p.m., Wednesday, the state will make a decision around noon on Wednesday, if the governor’s news briefing will be held at the time, or pushed back to later if the launch occurs at 3:30-p.m., so North Dakotans may view the launch.   The launch will be covered on CSi 82.2 the NASA Channel.