Jamestown  (CSi)  Central Valley Health District held a City of Jamestown COVID-19 Briefing on Tuesday November 3 at 2:30-p.m. via zoom virtual platform.

Speakers included, representatives from Central Valley Health District, the City of Jamestown, and Jamestown Public Schools.

 

Central Valley Health District, Unit Administrator, Robin Barnes said, as of Tuesday there have been 1147 positive COVID-19 cases in Stutsman County since the start of the pandemic.  She said the State Health Department on Tuesday reported a record one day positive tests at 86, with 267 active cases, and at total of 10 COVID-19 related deaths.

On October 30  there were 300 test given and from those 53 were positive.  She added that there are still 30 tests results to be reported.

She anticipates that due to fast rising COVID-19 positive cases in Stutsman County it could be moved to the Orange, or High Risk category which will inhibit travel within the county, and curtain business operation hours, and capacities.

Robin added that in schools, the positive cases are stemming from contacts outside the school setting.

As of Tuesday the Stutsman County positivity rate per 100,000 residents was 13.78 percent, with state rate at 15.76 percent.  The Stutsman County Rolling positivity rate was at 8.85 percent with the goal of 5 percent or less.

There are a variety of ages testing positive from 20 to 60 years old in the highest positive age range.

Next COVID-19 screening is planned for  Friday November 6 from 10-a.m., to noon at the Jamestown Civic Center, with 400 test kits to be available.  She pointed out that test results take about five days, to return, and those having tested need to isolate until those results come in.

Robin added that on Tuesday, November 3, there were 198 tests given at the University of Jamestown, and on October 30 there were 300 tests given at the Civic Center, until the test kits ran out.

She urges residents to receive flu immunizations with the next flu clinic on Thursday November 5 from 10-a.m., to 3-p.m., at the Jamestown Civic Center.

From the City of Jamestown, Mayor Dwaine Heinrich asked the community to adopt a “Say yes to staying safe,” attitude.  He said Jamestown has a sense of community, pointed out past instances when citizens stepped up to support the community, which needs to apply to mitigating the spread of the virus, which has become rampant in Jamestown and Stutsman County.

He also pointed out that if or when Stutsman County is moved to the county high risk level, it will mean more stringent restrictions, including limiting group outings, and shortening the hours of business operation, and restrictions on capacities.  He urges employers to have employee mask-up, and encourage customers to do the same, to limit community spread of the virus.

Mitigation will lessen the stress on medical facilities.

From Jamestown Public Schools, Superintendent, Dr. Robert Lech said, the school board has reviewed the results of the public input survey regarding the school districts plans and guidelines, with a special school board meeting on Monday November 9 at 5:15- p.m. to address any further action or changes, in the face to face learning, slated to begin later this month at Jamestown High School.

He pointed out that COVID-19 transmission in schools is  not  the same as in the public setting regarding community spread.  He said the highest rate of cases results from close contacts in with in-school, and co-curricular activities.  He urges staff and students to stay home if they are sick.

He added that at this time less that three percent of the staff was tested positive.

He added that at this time Jamestown Public Schools, plan to stay open within the school buildings, however that is predicated on community mitigation of the coronavirus spread.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 10 The Replay Channel, followed by replays.