– Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Dec 18

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Colder. Lows 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts to around 25 mph shifting to the south after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the upper 30s. South winds 10 to 20 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. West

winds 15 to 20 mph.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain and snow in

the afternoon in the Jamestown area. Highs in the upper 30s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow in

the evening, in the Jamestown area, then partly cloudy after midnight. Lows in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow.

Lows zero to 5 above.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 10 to 15.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows around 5 below.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

ND Covid Stats

Fri. Dec 18, 2020

11:00-a.m.

Update 2-p.m.

Barnes County

NEW DEATH 1

Man in his 80s

TOTAL DEATHS

New Positives: 7

Total Positives: 1201

Active: 37

Recovered: 1141

Stutsman County

NEW DEATHS 2

Man in his 80s

Woman in her 90s

TOTAL DEATHS 69

New Positives: 16

Total Positives: 2943

Active: n/a/

Recovered: n/a

More information pending from NDDoH

BY THE NUMBERS

8,208 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,257,587 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

509 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

446 – PCR Tests | 63 antigen tests
89,557 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

5.91% – Daily Positivity Rate**

3,061 – Total Active Cases

+77 Individuals from Yesterday

396 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (416 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

85,271 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

144 – Currently Hospitalized

-4 – Individuals from yesterday

21 – New Deaths*** (1,225 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID

Man in his 80s from Barnes County.
Woman in her 80s from Burleigh County.
Man in his 70s from Cass County.
Woman in her 60s from Cass County.
Man in his 60s from Cass County.
Man in his 90s from Grand Forks County.
Woman in her 90s from Grand Forks County.
Man in his 80s from Grand Forks County.
Man in his 90s from Kidder County.
Woman in her 90s from McHenry County.
Woman in her 90s from McLean County.
Man in his 90s from McLean County.
Woman in her 80s from McLean County.
Woman in her 70s from Morton County.
Woman in her 70s from Morton County.
Man in his 70s from Stark County.
Man in his 80s from Stutsman County.
Woman in her 90s from Stutsman County.
Man in his 80s from Ward County.
Man in his 90s from Ward County.
Woman in her 90s from Wells County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED FRIDAY

Adams County – 4
Barnes County – 7
Benson County – 22
Bottineau County – 4
Burleigh County – 49
Cass County – 132
Cavalier County – 2
Dickey County – 7
Dunn County – 1
Eddy County – 2
Foster County – 2
Grand Forks County – 31
Grant County – 2
Griggs County – 2
Kidder County – 2
LaMoure County – 3
Logan County – 2
McHenry County – 1
McIntosh County – 3
McKenzie County – 10
McLean County – 5
Mercer County – 2
Morton County – 18
Mountrail County – 13
Nelson County – 4
Pembina County – 2
Pierce County – 3
Ramsey County – 15
Ransom County – 2
Renville County – 2
Richland County – 12
Rolette County – 22
Sargent County – 1
Sioux County – 2
Slope County – 1
Stark County – 34
Steele County – 3
Stutsman County – 16
Towner County – 2
Traill County – 2
Walsh County – 11
Ward County – 18
Wells County – 6
Williams County – 25

* 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. Please remember that deaths are reported as they’re reported to us by the facility or through the official death record (up to 10-day delay).

**** 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 (JPS) Jamestown Public Schools will begin Holiday Break at the close of the regular school day on Friday, December 18, 2020. School will resume at the regular time on Monday, January 4, 2021. Buses will run at the regular scheduled time.

Valley City (VCPS) Valley City Public Schools Superintendent, Josh Johnson has updated the COVID-19 Plan, with amendments.

The news release states:

“Valley City Public Schools has updated our District COVID-19 Plan with the following amendments that will be implemented immediately in grades K-12. These changes will be reflected in our plan and will also be posted on the website as soon as possible.

District Guidelines on Quarantines
We have updated the new CDC guidelines on quarantines to reflect changes to the “Negative Test” procedure. A negative test must be completed on or after DAY 6 following the last date of exposure. Previously, we had reported DAY 5; however, an update was made with the NDDoH and we will follow their guidelines. Please read the attached document for more information.
Decreasing Close Contacts in School (Specifically Breakfast/Lunch)
VCPS will no longer quarantine close contacts (students) that have been exposed to a positive case from either breakfast or lunch. We have consulted with our local health team and also evaluated our District COVID-19 Data and have determined that no ‘community’ spread is occurring between students at either breakfast or lunch. We would like to acknowledge the individuals on the advisory meetings that strongly advocated for further decreasing close contacts in our schools.

Friday, December 18th, was the final day of school prior to the holiday break. There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, December 21 or Tuesday, December 22. On behalf of the staff and school board at Valley City Public Schools, we hope that you all have a very healthy and enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to seeing students back in the classroom on Monday, January 4th.

Josh Johnson

Superintendent

Valley City Public Schools

(701) 845-0483

Jamestown (JDA) The Jamestown Downtown Association President, Lynn Lambrecht has announced, the winners of the 1st ever Holiday Dazzle Lighting Contest have been determined. There were 317 total votes. Out of 82 total entries, the winners are:

1st Place: Robert & Sephra Puffe, 723 5th Ave SE – 13.56%

The Puffes will receive $250 cash prize from the Jamestown Downtown Association

2nd Place:Travis Yunck, 1013 16 1/2 St NE – 11.99%

Travis will receive $100 prize plus a $25 Cashwise gift card

3rd Place: Larry & Jenny Korynta, 824 6th Ave SE – 10.09%

The Koryntas will receive $50 plus a $25 Cashwise gift card

FORT YATES, N.D. (AP) — Family members say the former chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has died after contracting COVID-19, not long after his wife passed away from the coronavirus. Sixty-five-year-old Jesse “Jay” Taken Alive was hospitalized in late October and died Monday, according to his brother, Virgil Taken Alive. According to an obituary, his 64-year-old wife Cheryl Taken Alive died Nov. 11. Jesse Taken Alive won a seat on the tribal council in 1991 and spent 24 years in tribal government, serving as its chairman from 1993 to 1997. He taught Lakota culture and language at a school in McLaughlin until he became ill.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Nearly 200 nursing and pharmacy students at North Dakota State University students are helping administer the coronavirus vaccine to frontline healthcare workers over the next several months. The university says the upper-level students have received training to administer the shots at healthcare systems in the region and are being supervised by faculty members in the clinics. NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health students were the first to assist in administering the COVID-19 vaccination to frontline workers in Bismarck. In Fargo, NDSU pharmacy and nursing students are assisting Essentia Health and Sanford Health in providing vaccinations to frontline healthcare workers.

BISMARCK – The Bismarck Squadron Civil Air Patrol will continue to conduct the Wreaths Across America event as they have done in years past, but due to COVID-19 safety considerations, the squadron has had to make some adjustments to the traditional ways they have conducted this event over the past fourteen years.

Instead of a live, in-person ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery coinciding with ceremonies at over 2,200 sites across the nation; the squadron has pre-recorded a virtual WAA ceremony which will be posted at 11am on Dec 19^th to the Wreaths Across America Bismarck Facebook Page. The website address is https://www.facebook.com/WreathsAcrossAmericaBismarck. No ceremony will be conducted at the ND Vets Cemetery. This Facebook page should be accessible to anyone with or without a Facebook account.

“Having 2,000 people shoulder to shoulder at one time like we have had in past years just isn’t something we are going to do during a pandemic,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Iverson, of the Bismarck Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol.

National Wreaths Across America Day is simultaneously commemorated at 11am Central on Dec 19^th at participating locations. The ND Vets Cemetery was one of the original 150 sites to participate in this annual event.

Over 7,000 wreaths will still be placed at the headstones, called markers, of all gravesites at the ND Vets Cemetery as in past years. The public is invited to participate in this part of the event, but is asked to cooperate with the below schedule in order to lessen the overall numbers of people at the cemetery at one time. Participants are also asked to adhere to state and local health guidelines. The schedule is:

9am to 11am – those who sponsored wreaths to be placed on specific gravesites are invited to be at the ND Vets Cemetery to place wreaths on the markers of those they sponsored wreaths for
11am to 1pm – the rest of the public is invited to help place wreaths on the markers of gravesites which do not have a wreath yet

“A pandemic won’t stand in the way of accomplishing our mission of Remembering the sacrifices of those who served in our Armed Forces, Honoring those who serve and sacrifice today, and Teaching our children that freedom has a price – but a life of freedom is priceless” said Lt. Col. Sean Johnson, North Dakota Wing Cap Chief of Staff for Missions. “We will simply have to take a different approach this time is all. We have been faced with blizzards, extreme cold, and wreaths which didn’t get here on time due to bad weather. In all instances the Civil Air Patrol adapted and overcame. This year is no different.”

The public is asked to place only one wreath per gravesite, and to break down cardboard boxes and place them in the dumpsters provided if they have taken the last wreath from a box. Due to Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters safety guidelines, only five CAP members will be present at one time at the event. Public cooperation with helping keep the cemetery clean, driving carefully inside the cemetery, and safely moving around the cemetery grounds and placing wreaths is appreciated.

Wreath shipping from Maine is donated by truck companies across the US, with Britton Trucking of Grand Forks making final delivery to North Dakota locations.

Those interested in finding out more on the Wreaths Across America program, Civil Air Patrol, and wreath sponsorship for future ceremonies can contact Bismarck CAP at BismarckCAP30@gmail.com. Information can also be found at https://nd030.cap.gov .

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The legislative branch of government is rapidly moving to receive the coronavirus vaccine, with both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell getting the shot on Friday. The top Capitol doctor urged all members of Congress to join them. Both Pelosi and McConnell tweeted photos of themselves receiving the vaccine from Capitol physician, Dr. Brian P. Monahan. Monahan informed lawmakers Thursday evening that they are all eligible for the shots under government continuity guidelines and asked members of the House and Senate to make appointments with his office to be vaccinated.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. stands on the verge of adding a second vaccine to its arsenal as the coronavirus outbreak descends deeper into its most lethal phase yet. The Food and Drug Administration is evaluating a shot developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health, and a decision could clear the way for its use as early as Monday. Health workers and nursing home patients began getting a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine earlier this week. Extra doses from a second vaccine are urgently needed, as U.S. deaths hit all-time highs and some hospitals are running out of beds.

NEW YORK (AP) — Experts are debating who should be next in line for COVID-19 vaccines when more doses become available. So far, the limited number of doses are mostly going into the arms of health-care workers and nursing home residents. But 80 million more people should be able to start receiving vaccinations in the first three months of 2021. A federal advisory panel is expected to take up a proposal this weekend to place essential workers next in line. Others say seniors should get the next spot. Either way, state-to-state variations are likely increase as more vaccine becomes available.

(AP) The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says a team of international experts looking into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic will travel to China the first week of January. Dr. Michael Ryan says there will be quarantine arrangements for the team, which will visit the suspected site of the outbreak in the city of Wuhan. He says the team of international experts will work “with our Chinese colleagues,” and he adds they “will not be … supervised by Chinese officials.” Ryan says the world should celebrate the arrival of vaccines, but the “next three to six months are going to be tough.” The United States leads the world with 17.3 confirmed cases and 312,000 confirmed deaths. Brazils follows with 184,000 reported deaths and Mexico has 116,000 deaths.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — One in every five state and federal prisoners in the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus, a rate more than four times as high as the general population. In some states, more than half of prisoners have been infected, according to data collected by The Associated Press and The Marshall Project. As the pandemic enters its 10th month — and as the first Americans begin to receive a long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine — at least 275,000 prisoners have been infected and more than 1,700 have died. New cases in prisons this week reached their highest level since testing began in the spring, far outstripping previous peaks in April and August.

CHICAGO (AP) — Another federal inmate scheduled to be put to death next month in a series of executions by the Trump administration has tested positive for COVID-19. Lawyers for Corey Johnson confirmed his diagnosis Friday. Johnson was convicted of killing seven people related to his drug trafficking in Virginia in 1992. Word of his positive test comes a day after attorneys for Dustin John Higgs confirmed he tested positive at a U.S. prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where both men are on death row. Johnson’s lawyers called on federal authorities in a Friday statement to strike their client’s current execution date of Jan. 14.