Jamestown  (CSi) Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich says the COVID-19 risk increase for Stutsman County should only be temporary as case numbers continue to decline from a recent surge.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Mayor Heinrich pointed out that with Governor, Doug Burgum announcing changes in the North Dakota Risk Level, that moved Stutsman County back to the yellow, Moderate Risk Level from the green Low Risk Level, that maximum occupancy at various businesses drops from 75 percent back to 50 percent.

He asked the Jamestown Hospitality Businesses, to have their wait staff wear face masks.

The moderate risk level guideline is  a return to policies that were mandated earlier this year.

Mayor Heinrich pointed out that since the pandemic began, there have been 499 total positive COVID-19 cases in Stutsman County. The surge reached its peak in Stutsman County at 161 active cases on September 12th. Since then, it’s been on a decline, sitting at 67 positive cases as of Wednesday, September 23rd.

Because the county is above a 5% positive rate, it was decided to increase the COVID risk for Stutsman County.

On our show, Heinrich said, “I was contacted by Governor Doug Burgum’s office in regards to the risk increase for Stutsman County.I believe for the most part, residents of Jamestown have followed proper protocol and have worn a mask when they cannot social distance.”

When it comes to the spread, Mayor Heinrich added that the increase appears to have not come from casual day to day contact, but rather large group settings and gatherings.

He said “This includes institutions and large gatherings. Not those visiting the grocery store or other similar businesses.”

Heinrich said he encourage people to continue wearing a mask, use hand sanitizer, and continue doing all the appropriate things to prevent the spread. He says if residents can continue to take those safety precautions, they’ll continue seeing the active numbers reduce.