CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Cloudy. Lows around 20. North winds around 5 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows 15 to 20. Southeast

winds around 5 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Chance of flurries in the morning, then clearing. Highs in the upper 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the northwest

15 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows zero to 5 above.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 10.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows around 15.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

 

North Dakota’s death count per capita from the coronavirus has risen from 12th- highest in the country to fifth in just six weeks. The data by Johns Hopkins University researchers shows the state’s death count has gone from 75 deaths per 100,000 people in early November to 146 deaths at present. The state Department of Health on Friday reported 27 new deaths, bringing the statewide death toll to 1,130 since the pandemic began. Officials confirmed 513 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday. The state update showed 277 people hospitalized with COVID-19, a decrease of 25.

ND Covid Stats

Fri, Dec., 11  2020

11:00-a.m.

Barnes County

TWO NEW DEATHS

  • Woman in her 80s
  • Woman in her 80s

TOTAL DEATHS 21

New Positives:  4

Total Positives: 1170

Active: 65

Recovered: 1084

 

Stutsman County

ONE NEW DEATH

  • Woman in her 90s

New Positives: 23

Total Positives:  2847

Active: 149

Recovered: 2635

Totals include both PCR tests and antigen tests combined.

COVID-19 Test Results 
The results listed are from the previous day. Additional data can be found on the NDDoH website.

 

The team continues to work on a solution and is hoping to have all of the pages up soon. For now, you’ll find the first page of the dashboard on the website.

A couple of things to note:

  • The NDDoHis following the guidance from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) – the independent professional body that determines case definitions for the country. CSTE guidance and the CDC indicate that someone who has a positive antigen test for COVID-19 should be considered a probable case. Probable cases receive the same level of case investigation and follow-up as cases confirmed using a PCR test.
  • PCR tests and antigen tests are displayed separately on the first pageof the dashboard and are broken out into daily and cumulative totals on the second page. For the rest of the graphs and maps, totals include both PCR tests and antigen tests combined.
  • Antigen tests are not taken into account in the percent positivity.Some testing facilities are not reporting all antigen testing. As a result, we do not know the total number of negatives and total tests completed to be able to calculate a positivity rate.
  • Positive antigen tests have been added to the totals.The past positive antigen tests and 12 deaths reported yesterday are reflected on the dashboard on the actual day they were resulted. So, the daily new positives reported today are the PCR tests and antigen tests reported from yesterday, as is usually done.

BY THE NUMBERS

8,682 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,217,591 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

513 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

472 – PCR Tests | 41 antigen tests
87,213 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

5.82% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

4,406 - Total Active Cases

-190 Individuals from Yesterday

670 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (568 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

81,678 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

277 – Currently Hospitalized

-25 – Individuals from yesterday

 

27 – New Deaths*** (1,130 total deaths since the pandemic began)

Please note that due to an extra lag in reporting 21 out of the 27 deaths reported today were outside of the typical 0-3-day lag in reporting (12 were from November). 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Barnes County.
  • Woman in her 80s from Barnes County.
  • Woman in her 80s from Burleigh County.
  • Woman in her 60s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 90s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 80s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 80s from Cass County.
  • Woman in her 100s from Grand Forks County.
  • Woman in her 90s from McHenry County.
  • Man in his 60s from Morton County.
  • Woman in her 90s from Morton County.
  • Woman in her 90s from Morton County.
  • Man in his 90s from Pierce County.
  • Woman in her 80s from Pierce County.
  • Man in his 70s from Pierce County.
  • Woman in her 80s from Pierce County.
  • Man in his 70s from Ransom County.
  • Woman in her 90s from Stutsman County.
  • Woman in her 70s from Towner County.
  • Man in his 80s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 50s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 90s from Ward County.
  • Woman in her 60s from Ward County.
  • Woman in her 80s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 90s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 90s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 80s from Williams County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

  • Barnes County – 4
  • Benson County – 24
  • Billings County – 4
  • Bottineau County – 1
  • Bowman County – 2
  • Burke County – 1
  • Burleigh County – 71
  • Cass County – 95
  • Cavalier County – 1
  • Dickey County – 4
  • Dunn County – 4
  • Emmons County – 1
  • Foster County – 2
  • Golden Valley County – 2
  • Grand Forks County – 41
  • Hettinger County – 2
  • Kidder County – 2
  • LaMoureCounty – 1
  • Logan County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 4
  • McLean County – 3
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Morton County – 25
  • Mountrail County – 1
  • Nelson County – 2
  • Oliver County – 1
  • Pembina County – 4
  • Pierce County – 1
  • Ramsey County – 8
  • Ransom County – 2
  • Richland County – 22
  • Rolette County – 5
  • Sargent County – 6
  • Sioux County – 7
  • Stark County – 63
  • Steele County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 23
  • Towner County – 3
  • TraillCounty – 16
  • Walsh County – 7
  • WardCounty – 19
  • Williams County – 26

 

* Note that this includes PCR tests and does not include individuals from out of state. 

**Individuals who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters). Antigen tests (positive or negative) are not included in the calculation.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive with a PCR or antigen test and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19. There is a lag in the time deaths are reported to the NDDoH.

**** The actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious.

*****Daily positive numbers include people who tested with a PCR or antigen test. Totals may be adjusted as individuals are found to live out of state, in another county, or as other information is found during investigation.

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.

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reports that beginning Dec 14 – Dec 22,   CVHD will hold COVID week day testing at the Jamestown Civic Center, from 10am to 12 noon, using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow.   No testing is scheduled for Friday Dec 11.

Regular PCR testing will be conducted on those who are asymptomatic, while rapid testing will be available for those who are experiencing COVID symptoms.

If a rapid test results in a negative result, a follow-up confirmatory PCR test will be conducted.Negative tests will be followed up by the traditional testing.

During Christmas week the Civic Center testing will be Mon Dec 21 & Tues Dec 22 from 10am to noon.

See calendar posted at CSiNewsNow.com

CVHD will continue to work with the University of Jamestown on testing students.

 

Valley City  (CCHD) Monday December 14, the Free COVID-19 Testing Site in Valley City is  inside the VCSU W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, from 1-p.m., to 2-p.m.

Preregister on line: testreg.nd.gov site.

City/County County Health says, the testing will take place inside the “Bubble,” with priority in line given to Elderly and those with mobility issues. and wheelchairs will be available.

Face Masks are required for those entering the building.

 

Valley City  (VCPS 12-11-20)  Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson has issued an updated news release issued by Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson.

It stated:

“Earlier this week, the North Dakota High School Activities Association revised the capacity limits to match North Dakota’s Smart Restart for Large Group Gatherings.

Johnson, following consultation with our local health team and school board, Valley City Public Schools has made the decision to continue limiting attendance to 50 spectators between December 14, 2020 thru January 15, 2021. This decision will be re-evaluated with our local health team during the week of January 11-15, 2021.

Each Valley City Public School participating student will receive two wristbands that they will be able to share with parents and family members. The wristbands will allow entrance into the event, but will not cover the cost of admission. No visiting team spectators will be allowed to attend.

Due to capacity limitations within our facilities, no fans will be allowed to attend any activity events held in either the North or South Auxiliary Gymnasiums.”

Bismarck (CSi)  – Gov. Doug Burgum Friday announced that $2.48 million in emergency grant relief has been awarded to North Dakota education entities serving K-12 students and families to support all learners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, created by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), allows the governor to provide support to education entities and institutions of higher education. North Dakota received approximately $5.93 million in GEER funding from the U.S. Department of Education; $3.4 million was made available to K-12 facilities across the state. Of that amount, $2.48 million was made available to K-12 through a competitive grant process. Throughout the pandemic, more than $98 million of relief funding has been provided to support K-12 education across North Dakota.

Burgum says,“These grants will help ensure our students and families continue to have the educational supports they need to navigate the pandemic disruptions,” Burgum said. “These funds provide a financial lift for schools to transform learning, and we look forward to seeing how these proposals grow into future student-driven opportunities.”

Several awards were provided to schools that serve a high population of Native American students. Over 20 percent of North Dakota’s Native American K-12 population is enrolled in districts receiving GEER funds.

More than 35 proposals were reviewed through the competitive grant process. Grants awarded will provide resources to support behavioral health needs of students and families, technology assistance for individuals receiving distance learning, additional staff to support student learning and tutoring services provided outside of the typical school day. A list of the grant awards is available here.

For more information on North Dakota’s COVID-19 response, visit www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus or www.ndresponse.gov.

 

Bismarck (NDDHS)  The North Dakota State Hospital’s governing body will meet Monday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. CT in the administration conference room in the hospital’s LRC Administration Building, 2605 Circle Dr., in Jamestown. Interested individuals can also join by Microsoft Teams or by conference call.

State Hospital Superintendent Rosalie Etherington will give a report. Other agenda items include the medical director’s report and updates on quality management, finances, employee wellness committee activities and COVID-19 efforts. The agenda also includes a report from the North Dakota Department of Human Services and a review of the quality management report. Other business may be discussed.

The agenda for the public meeting includes time for comments from the public and North Dakota State Hospital employees at the end of the meeting.

The complete agenda is online at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/publicnotice/index.html and includes the Microsoft Teams link and conference call-in information.

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations, including auxiliary aids, to participate in the meeting can contact Karla Bachmeier at 701-253-3964, 711 (TTY) or kxbachmeier@nd.gov.

Information about the North Dakota State Hospital is available online at www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/statehospital/.

Bismarck  (NDDOT) – Law enforcement across the state will have extra patrols to remove impaired drivers from the road from Dec. 18 until Jan. 31 as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

Preliminary 2020 data shows fatalities from alcohol are at 32%. However, alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle crashes, fatalities and arrests are 100% preventable. Drivers should always take personal responsibility by driving sober, designating a sober driver or using a ride-hailing service.

“Make the choice to always drive sober and avoid the serious consequences that come with driving impaired,” says Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser. “Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is preventable and should not be tolerated.”

This campaign is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.

Update

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Fargo police are investigating the death of a woman who was found with severe injuries in an apartment parking lot early Friday. Police say the woman was likely a passenger in a vehicle that had been fleeing police, and she may have tried to get out of the vehicle while it was still in motion. She died of her injuries in the parking lot. Her name will not be released until Monday. The man who was driving was arrested after crashing the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — President Donald Trump has lost a Wisconsin lawsuit seeking to disqualify more than 221,000 ballots and overturn his loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the battleground state. Reserve Judge Stephen Simanek on Friday ruled against every argument Trump made challenging ballots in Wisconsin’s two largest counties, saying the election was properly administered and there was no wrongdoing. Trump plans to quickly appeal and he awaits a ruling in a separate federal lawsuit in the state. Trump has called for quick rulings so he can file appeals before the Electoral College meets on Monday and casts Wisconsin’s 10 votes for Biden.

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say an officer has shot and wounded a woman in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa following an altercation, drawing protesters in a city that has seen civil unrest this year over policing. Officers responded after a caller reported the woman was violently attacking another woman about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Authorities say the alleged attacker was located and an altercation led an officer to shoot the woman, who was said to be in stable condition. The shooting drew about 30 protesters to the area. Wauwatosa was the site of protests and calls for changes to policing after an officer shot and killed Alvin Cole, a Black 17-year-old, after he fled from police following a disturbance inside the mall in February. That officer later resigned.

In sports…

(UJ 12-11-20 )  University of Jamestown Athletic Director Sean Johnson reports that  “As of Friday December 11, “We are lifting all restrictions on whom can attend home games at Harold Newman Arena while still enforcing our capacity restriction which is currently at 600.”

The first event under the revised policy will be Saturday, December 12, when the Jimmie women’s basketball team hosts Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University at 2 p.m.

Tickets will be sold to the general public, Jimmie Booster Club members will be allowed to attend, and UJ faculty and staff may bring their families to the games at Harold Newman Arena.

The revised policy does not apply to home hockey games at Wilson Arena, which are under tighter attendance restrictions, and do not currently allow for UJ faculty, staff, and student admittance, public ticket sales, or the use of Jimmie Booster Club passes.

Valley City (VCPS 12-11-20) Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson has issued an updated news release issued by Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson.

It stated:

“Earlier this week, the North Dakota High School Activities Association revised the capacity limits to match North Dakota’s Smart Restart for Large Group Gatherings.

Johnson following consultation with our local health team and school board, Valley City Public Schools has made the decision to continue limiting attendance to 50 spectators between December 14, 2020 thru January 15, 2021. This decision will be re-evaluated with our local health team during the week of January 11-15, 2021.

Each Valley City Public School participating student will receive two wristbands that they will be able to share with parents and family members. The wristbands will allow entrance into the event, but will not cover the cost of admission. No visiting team spectators will be allowed to attend.

Due to capacity limitations within our facilities, no fans will be allowed to attend any activity events held in either the North or South Auxiliary Gymnasiums.”

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine by the end of Friday or face possible dismissal. The vaccine won an endorsement Thursday from an FDA panel of outside advisers, and agency signoff is the next step needed to get the shots to the public. Meadows spoke to Hahn by telephone on Friday, according to a senior official familiar with the call but not authorized to discuss private conversations on the record. A second official says Meadows threatened Hahn’s job. Hahn later disputed the characterizations of the conversation with Meadows, saying only that the FDA was working rapidly.

 

(AP) Demoralized doctors and nurses across the U.S. are struggling to cope with record COVID-19 cases, prompting some governors to take new steps to contain the virus. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday banned indoor dining in New York City indefinitely, starting on Monday. He cited hospitalization rates that are continuing to climb. Hospitals around the country have been overrun with patients, and many health care workers are concerned about a lack of staff to treat surging numbers of patients.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has sent a temporary government-wide funding bill to President Donald Trump that would avert a government shutdown at midnight. The funding extension gives negotiators time to continue working toward agreement on new COVID-19 relief aid. The extension sets a new shutdown deadline of midnight next Friday. It passed the Senate by a unanimous voice vote. The House passed the bill on Wednesday and Trump is expected to sign it before midnight. COVID-19 relief talks remain stalled but there is universal agreement that Congress won’t adjourn for the year without passing a long-delayed round of pandemic relief.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved a wide-ranging defense policy bill, sending it to President Donald Trump, despite his threat to veto it because the bill does not clamp down on big tech companies he claims were biased during the election. The final vote was 84-13, mirroring a similarly overwhelming margin in the House that, if maintained in both chambers, would be enough to override a potential veto. The Senate vote had been expected Thursday but was delayed after Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to the measure, saying it could limit Trump’s ability to draw down U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Germany.

 

 

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden is introducing five top picks for his new administration, drawing on many leading names from the Obama White House. Appearing at a Friday event with Biden are his choice for director of White House Domestic Policy Council, Susan Rice, who served as President Barack Obama’s national security adviser and U.N. ambassador; and Denis McDonough, Obama’s White House chief of staff, now nominated as veterans affairs secretary. Also attending are Biden’s pick for agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack, who held the same post for Obama; Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, chosen to be the new administration’s housing chief; and Katherine Tai, who is chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee and has been tapped as U.S. Trade Representative.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is banning indoor dining again at New York City restaurants. The Democrat announced the restrictions Friday as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations climbed in the city. The governor’s order comes despite opposition from the beleaguered restaurant industry, which warned of holiday season lay-offs at a time when the federal government has yet to pass additional COVID-19 relief. As of Monday, only takeout orders and outdoor dining will be allowed in the city. Cuomo said the shutdown of indoor dining will be evaluated in two weeks.

 

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina police officer has been killed in a shootout while responding to a breaking and entering call. A news release from Charlotte-Mecklenburg police says Mount Holly police officer Tyler Herndon was one of several to respond to a call at Mount Holly Car Wash and Arcade around 3:30 a.m. Friday. Authorities say Herndon was shot during a shootout between the breaking and entering suspect and police officers. Herndon and the suspect were taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center. Police charged 24-year-old Joshua Tyler Funk of Mount Holly, with first-degree murder. Funk is jailed without bond and he has not been assigned an attorney.