Bismarck  (CSi)   Gov Doug Burgum’s Friday News Briefing.  He was  joined by North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon Jensen and Department of Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones. scroll in about 28 minutes for start of comments.

North Dakota health officials reported five new deaths due to the coronavirus, including four people in Cass County with underlying health conditions. The other person who died was a man in his 60s from Grand Forks County, with no previous health issues listed.

Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.
NOTEWORTHY

  • Just a reminder that late last week we added serology numbers to the website, as well as made improvements and expanded what is being reported for long-term care.
  • Beginning Saturday, the public health hotline will be available Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The hotline currently runs 7 days a week, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Man in his 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 70s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Man in his 60s from Grand Forks County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED FRIDAY

  • Burleigh County – 2
  • Cass County – 32
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Richland County – 1
  • Sioux County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 1
  • Stutsman Total 30
  • Ward County – 2


BY THE NUMBERS

107,509 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+2,624 total tests from yesterday)

 

76,856 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,112 unique individuals from yesterday)

74,111 – Total Negative (+1,073 unique individuals from yesterday)

2,745 – Total Positive (+40 unique individuals from yesterday)
A duplicative case reported yesterday from Cass County was removed from the total.

1.5% – Daily Positivity Rate**

180 – Total Hospitalized (+5 individuals from yesterday)

30 – Currently Hospitalized (-2 individuals from yesterday)

2,242 – Total Recovered (+33 individuals from yesterday)

71 – Total Deaths*** (+5 individual from yesterday)

 

* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.

**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.

 

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.

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 ramping up testing is a big tool in identifying positives.

Those most vulnerable at high risk for COVID-19 are continuing to be the focus of testing.

 

With long term care facilities Burgum signed an Executive Order, Friday that modifies visitation restrictions, with a phased reopening plan.  Also outdoor visitation will be allowed, in conjunction with each facility, that allows outdoor visitation.  The guidelines must include observing social distancing, wearing face masks, using a safe location, and making visiting appointments.  This applies if there are no active COVID-19 cases in the facility. County positive numbers will also determine the relaxing of visitation restrictions.

The state will balance the relaxing of restrictions with COVID-19 testing.

Burgum said Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks has set aside a separate living area for those who have tested positive with the virus.  Currently there are no residents, or staff with the virus, there.  President and CEO Garth Ryland praised the state for its healthcare programs and guidelines during the pandemic, and providing Personal Protective Equipment. He also recognized other state departments.

With the court system, North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon Jensen talked about restarting the court system including jury trials, beginning July 1, 2020.

On June 1st, in person court proceedings have been established.  The state is working with local courthouse officials, with their reopening schedule.

With resuming jury trial, social distancing is an issue, with the jury seating.

He said if jury trials are not set back in motion, the backlog will become unmanageable.

Starting soon, jury pools will again be established, with the courthouse to be given instructions to be safe during jury trials, including marking out the courtrooms, for social distancing,  and wearing face masks.

Flexibility has been added to the Payroll Protection plan.  June 30 is the deadline to file for those not preciously taking advantage of the program.  NDresponse.com has more information.

Burgum said, the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division was recently awarded a Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the behavioral health of North Dakotans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this grant, the division is launching Project Renew, a partnership with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, to provide free and anonymous brief support services to individuals throughout the state.

The Project Renew hotline can be reached at 701-223-1510 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. Individuals can also send an email to renew@lssnd.org.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services announced Friday that it is extending the application period for the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) food assistance program for those families whose children participated in the free and reduced-priced school meal program and who have not already applied for or received P-EBT benefits.

The application period is through June 15, so that families who did not participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but whose children participated in the child nutrition program at their local school have more time to apply.

Families who participated in SNAP and whose children received free or reduced-priced school meals were automatically enrolled and have already received their P-EBT benefits.

Families who have not already applied for or received P-EBT benefits can apply online at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid-19/families.html. If a family is unable to complete an online application, the family should contact their children’s school for an application.

Burgum added that beginning Saturday, the public health hotline will be available Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The hotline currently runs 7 days a week, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

With demonstrations surrounding the death of George Floyd, Burgum said mayors of the largest metropolitan areas have held dialogues.  He said unlawful demonstrations takes away from the message of liberty and justice for all.  He added that many cities have held peaceful demonstrations.  He said the state is listening to the peaceful messages of those demonstrations.

The next scheduled News Briefing is Wed. Jun 10, at 3:30-p.m