Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly COVID-19 News Briefing on Wednesday at 10-a.m., at the state capital in Bismarck.

He was joined  by North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger,along with ND Human Services Director, Chris Jones.

Burgum reviewed testing, long term care visitations, schools in session, and businesses open status.   He said COVID-19 cases have increased, in the state.

He pointed out testing changes for the vulnerable population in long term care, which he said 24 hour test  results will be now be available for those individuals.

With contact tracing, the vulnerable population will be prioritized.

Burgum said  it’s time to “spring into action” to help protect nursing home residents from the coronavirus. He announced several measures meant to slow the spread at long-term care facilities, including putting testing and contact tracing of those residents of the head of the line. The changes were outlined after Burgum announced a “somber milestone” of topping 200 deaths due to complications from the coronavirus and “too many” fatalities in nursing homes. State health officials have reported 26 deaths in the last seven days, all of whom were men and women in their 70s, 80s and 90s with underlying health conditions. Seven new deaths were confirmed Wednesday.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) is adjusting COVID-19 testing and contract tracing strategies to address a recent uptick in confirmed coronavirus cases among residents and staff at long-term care facilities.

The State Lab is using the state’s Vulnerable Population Protection Plan (VP3) team to assist in strategic adjustments, including:

 

  • Testing of long-term care residents and staff has been prioritized over all other testing, and every effort will be made to return results from long-term care tests within 24 hours of testing to allow for immediate isolation and cohorting, or grouping together, of positive residents and staff and quarantine of close contacts.

 

  • Contact tracing and follow-up with long-term care residents and health care workers also has been prioritized through the NDDoH.

 

  • The NDDoH will begin to implement a plan to use emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and others to conduct test swabbing and is prioritizing approximately 200 nurses from the NDDoH’s Department Operations Center to provide staff coverage as needed in long-term care facilities and other congregate settings.

 

  • The federal government is providing the state with Abbott BinaxNOW point-of-care testing that can be used at long-term care facilities that will assist facilities when residents and health care workers present with symptoms.

 

  • The state is continuing to look at innovations in long-termcare settings relating to screening, testing, disinfection and telehealth to continue to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens.

State Health Officer Dr. Paul Mariani said, “Protecting the most vulnerable is our top priority in North Dakota’s COVID-19 response, and since the beginning the state has taken proactive measures to safeguard residents and staff in long-term care facilities and other congregate settings. With these adjustments, we are placing even more emphasis on doing everything we can to protect residents and staff while still allowing for safe, responsible visitation that is so important to residents’ mental health and well-being. The recent increase in cases in these facilities is a reflection of the increased spread of coronavirus in our communities at large, which makes it even more important for North Dakotans to practice good COVID-19 etiquette: social distance, wear a mask, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings.”

Burgum said to maintain transmissible moments, all North Dakotans should observe safe practices, especially in long term care facilities, to protect residents and healthcare workers, wear face masks, observe social distancing, and more.

Burgum said new testing equipment will be utilized in long term care facilities that will give results in a matter of minutes.  Upgrading of the air exchange systems in facilities is forthcoming, for sanitizing the air.

Burgum announced changes in the county risk levels.

He said these are guidelines and not a mandate.

They take effect Friday morning, September 25, 2020.

Moving from the low, or “green,” to “yellow,” moderate risk is Stutsman, Cass, Richland, Dunn, Sargent, Emmons, McKenzie, and Ward.

Moving to the “blue,” of New Normal less risk level is LaMoure, Pembina, Pierce, and Rolette Counties.

Moving from “blue” New Normal to “green,” or low  risk level are Foster, Billings, Mercer, and Renville, Counties.

Barnes County will remain in the “yellow” or moderate risk level, but it is being watched for significant increases in COVID-19 positive case increase, for a possible move to the orange High Risk level.

He said the change in risk levels does not necessarily mean that school districts need to change how students are taught concerning the areas of hybrid, face to face, and distance learning.

Interim State Health Officer Dr. Paul Mariani has amended a state health officer order expanding the quarantine order to all close contacts. This follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. The North Dakota Department of Health has always recommended close contacts quarantine to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but previously the order referred only to household contacts.

Mariani said, “Whenever possible, all close contacts of individuals infected with COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days past the last day they were in contact with the person who tested positive, Individuals who are named as close contacts and comply with their quarantine are actively protecting older adults in their community. These are our parents and grandparents. Quarantine is not convenient, but it is necessary.”

The order continues to allow essential workforce exemptions for individuals who are close contacts of people testing positive for COVID-19. Exempt individuals include essential critical infrastructure workers as defined by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus.

On another topic North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger, presented information on voting and the upcoming elections.