Bismarck  (CSi)  One of the topics during Governor Doug Burgum’s weekly News Briefing, Wednesday morning, was that he announced changes in the county risk levels, adjusted because of increases in the number of positive COVID-19 positive cases.

He said these are guidelines and not a mandate.

They take effect Friday morning, September 25, 2020.

Those changes include:

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.