CSi Weather…

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST FRIDAY EVENING…INCLUDES BARNES

* WHAT…North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* WHERE… Towner, Cavalier, Benson, Ramsey, Eddy, Nelson, Griggs, Barnes and Western Walsh Counties.

* WHEN…Until 6 PM CST Friday evening.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

 

Forecast…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Northwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Decreasing clouds. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest

winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.

Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow after

midnight. Lows around 20.

.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY…Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of

snow. Highs in the upper 20s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the

evening. Lows around 15.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

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

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows 15 to 20.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held a COVID-19 News Briefing Friday at the state capital in Bismarck.

Joining him were Molly Howell, NDDoH Immunization Program Manager, and Dr. Joshua Ranum of West River Health Services in Hettinger.

Burgum said, at this point North Dakota is number one in the nation with the percentage of vaccine dosages administered at 68 percent, 4th in the nation per capita.

He restated mitigation efforts…physical distancing, and frequent hand washing with soap and water. He said those are practical ways, to break the chain of transmission, noting those who are asymptomatic.

He said the state emergency is not over, and will not be rescinded in the near future,  adding that state officials continue to work with local officials during the COVID Emergency, concerning strategies.  He pointed out that President-Elect Biden has announced the $1.9 million COVID Rescue Plan, with the dollars to be distributed to states.

Burgum says hospitalization have decline in North Dakota since November, but has increased the past few days.

He noted that college students are returning to campus, and K-12 schools are increasing in person learning, which may  increase the number positive cases being spread.

Burgum said the North Dakota National Guard continues to assist in various areas of the COVID fight.

Since mid-November when the state’s COVID-19 numbers peaked and the additional mitigation measures were implemented:

  • Active cases have dropped by over 80 percent, from 10,224 to 1,675;
  • Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have decreased by nearly 74 percent, to 88 hospitalized today; and
  • The state’s 14-day test positivity rate is down roughly one-fourth from its peak, at 4.13 percent today, its lowest level since late August. According to Johns Hopkins University, North Dakota’s seven-day positivity rate is now the fourth-lowest rate in the nation, at 4.7 percent.

With those numbers, Burgum said, the statewide mask mandate will be allowed expire on Monday January 18, 2021, at 8-a.m., but he highly urges all residents continue to mask-up, noting local political subdivision may continue to have their own mask and other mandates, under emergency orders, and the state supports those locally enacted protocols.

Also on January 18, at 8-a.m., business protocols will move from mandates to guidelines, that limits capacity for bars, restaurants and event venues.

The extension to Jan. 18 allowed for a 14-day incubation period to pass after Christmas and New Year’s to ensure the state wouldn’t see a surge in cases.

All North Dakota counties will remain in the Yellow, Moderate Risk level.

 

He said safe and effective vaccines have arrived, that will greatly assist in returning the state to normal activities., a key component in the “3 pronged” approach.

NDDoH Immunization Program Manager,Molly Howell said the state have received over 76-thousand doses of vaccine, with 69 percent of those administered, with reports of around 95 percent effectiveness.

Phase 1-B of vaccination distribution will start to be administered, at 10,000 doses to be administered per week.  A vaccine locator is posted on the State Health Department web site, and at the Hot Line, 1-866-207-2880.

Dr. Joshua Ranum of West River Health Services in Hettinger, explained antibody therapeutics.

Almost all hospitals in North will have the medications available for IV infusions.  He said vaccinations and the antibody therapeutics will greatly help in the mitigation of the virus, along with treatment of positive cases.

He stressed the importance of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 to immediately ask their doctors if they’re a candidate for early treatment with monoclonal antibody therapies that have been shown to reduce mortality and the need for hospitalization.

 

NDDoH

COVID 19 Stats

Fri. Jan. 15, 2021

11-a.m.

Barnes County

New Positives:  2

Total Positives: 1270

Active:  18

Recovered: 1220

 

Stutsman County

Antigen tests (BinaxNOW, etc.) were added to the website beginning Dec. 9.

NEW DEATH – 1

Woman in her 70s

TOTAL DEATHS 73

New Positives:  4

Total Positives:  3208

Active:  42

Recovered: 3086

More updates anticipated from NDoH

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

BY THE NUMBERS

7,258 – Total Tests from yesterday*

1,442,795 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

233 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

185 – PCR Tests | 48 – Antigen Tests
95,599 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

3.82% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,675 - Total Active Cases

-89 Individuals from yesterday.  

225 – with a recovery date of yesterday****

92,551 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

88 – Currently Hospitalized

+10 – Individuals from yesterday.

 

8 – New Deaths*** (1,373 total deaths since the pandemic began)

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Golden Valley County.
  • Woman in her 70s from Grand Forks County.
  • Woman in her 70s from McHenry County.
  • Man in his 60s from Ramsey County.
  • Man in his 70s from Ransom County.
  • Woman in her 70s from Stutsman County.
  • Man in his 60s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 90s from Ward County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED FRIDAY

  • Adams County – 3
  • Barnes County – 2
  • Benson County – 5
  • Billings County – 2
  • Bottineau County – 2
  • Burleigh County – 22
  • Cass County – 47
  • Cavalier County – 2
  • Dickey County – 2
  • Emmons County – 1 
  • Foster County – 2 
  • Golden Valley County – 2
  • Grand Forks County – 19
  • McHenry County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 2
  • McLean County – 1
  • Morton County – 10
  • Mountrail County – 3
  • Ramsey County – 13
  • Ransom County – 1 
  • Renville County – 2
  • Richland County – 5
  • Rolette County – 10
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 2
  • Stark County – 10
  • Stutsman County – 4
  • Towner County – 2
  • TraillCounty – 3 
  • Walsh County – 9 
  • WardCounty – 22 
  • Wells County – 1 
  • Williams County – 20 

 

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

**Individuals (PCR or antigen) who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters). 

*** 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.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)– Gov. Doug Burgum Friday applauded the federal government’s decision to sign the Record of Decision for the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS) project, clearing the final hurdle in the environmental review process and allowing construction of the project to proceed. The decision was signed by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation.

“Ensuring a reliable and affordable water supply is essential to North Dakota’s people, our economy and the future growth of our state, and the Record of Decision marks a historic step in making this critical project a reality,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to Interior Secretary Bernhardt and the Bureau of Reclamation for their thorough review and timely approval of the ENDAWS project, and to our state’s congressional delegation and all the project partners for their advocacy of this critically important infrastructure to distribute our state’s valuable water supply and safeguard the economic health of our communities and citizens.”

When completed, the ENDAWS project will move up to 165 cubic feet of water per second, or 120,000 acre-feet per year, from the Missouri River to eastern North Dakota utilizing Garrison Diversion facilities, including the McClusky Canal built more than 50 years ago. It’s estimated the alternate water source for the Red River Valley Water Supply Project and Central North Dakota Water Supply Project will save taxpayers an estimated $200 million on project costs as well as future operating costs.

Bismarck (NDNG)— The N.D. National Guard adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann announced additional support to the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Approximately 130 Soldiers from the 816th Military Police Company will join 20 previously scheduled N.D. Guard members in support of the 59th presidential inauguration. The unit is headquartered in Dickinson, N.D., with a detachment in Bismarck.

Some Soldiers departed Friday afternoon with the balance departing over the weekend via three Texas Air National Guard transport aircraft.

“We are responding to a request from the D.C. National Guard seeking assistance,” said Dohrmann. “I continue to be proud of our Soldiers’ and Airmen’s ability to quickly respond when asked to serve. This short-term mobilization will not affect our ability to support the COVID-19 fight or any potential security operations within our state if called upon.”

Nationwide, the National Guard provides a myriad of support capabilities that can be seamlessly integrated with interagency partners to enhance inauguration support. These capabilities include security, communications, medical evacuation, and logistics. This support is in keeping with the National Guard’s role in homeland security.

The N.D. National Guard continues to provide the governor and civilian authorities properly manned, trained, and equipped forces whenever and wherever they are needed.

Bismarck  (CSi)   The North Dakota Department of Human Services has partnered with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota (LSSND) to provide programs to vulnerable populations for several decades.

In response to Friday’s announcement by LSSND that the non-profit organization will be closing its doors and suspending programs, the department will begin work to review contracted services and determine how to sustain vital programs once provided by LSSND.

“In partnership with Lutheran Social Services, we’ve improved the lives of thousands of North Dakotans,” said Chris Jones, executive director of the department. “It’s our goal now to coordinate the transition of LLSND programs and clients wherever possible.”

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Fargo police say they have arrested a 37-year-old woman on a tentative charge of killing a 15-month-old girl in November. Police say officers responded to a residence in Fargo on Nov. 20 for an unconscious and unresponsive child. First responders worked to save her, but she died at the hospital on Nov. 24. A medical examiner’s report listed the cause of Meka Ducheneaux’s death as a homicide. But, police have not disclosed the nature of her death or the relationship between the woman and the victim.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck teen accused of driving the wrong way on a Bismarck expressway and killing a South Dakota woman New Year’s Day is facing four felony charges. The North Dakota Highway Patrol says 18-year-old Kenyon Eagle had a blood alcohol content of nearly three times the legal limit to drive when his pickup collided head-on with the victim’s car, killing 24-year-old Tiffany Shaving, of Cherry Creek, and injuring two of her passengers. Eagle is charged with criminal vehicular homicide and three other felonies.

LEMMON, S.D. (AP) — A grass fire in far southeastern North Dakota has consumed 20,000 acres. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports that firefighters responded to the fire about 10 miles northwest of Lemmon in Adams County late Thursday afternoon. Several farms and ranches were evacuated due to smoke. Nearly 20 fire departments from North and South Dakota battled the blaze in 30 to 40 mph winds. Two firefighters were hurt and taken to a medical center for treatment. Firefighters had stopped about 80% of the blaze from spreading as of Friday afternoon. No occupied residences have been lost.

In world and national news…

PHOENIX (AP) — Federal prosecutors say the pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol aimed to “capture and assassinate elected officials.” The remark came in a motion prosecutors filed late Thursday in the case against Jacob Chansley. He is the Arizona man who took part in the insurrection while sporting face paint, no shirt and a furry hat with horns. Prosecutors say that after Chansley climbed up to the dais where Vice President Mike Pence had been presiding moments earlier, Chansley wrote a threatening note to Pence. They said the note read: “It’s only a matter of time, justice is coming.” Chansley attorney Gerald Williams didn’t return a phone call and email Friday morning seeking comment.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. attorney’s office says an anti-Trump Florida man has been charged with trying to organize an armed response to pro-Trump protesters expected at the state Capitol on Sunday. An affidavit from an FBI agent says Daniel Baker, of Tallahassee, was using social media to recruit people in a plot to encircle protesters and trap them in the Capitol. The court document describes a series of threats of violence and a prediction of civil war. Baker is described as anti-Trump, anti-government, anti-white supremacist and anti-police. U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe says: “Extremists intent on violence from either end of the political and social spectrums must be stopped, and they will be stopped.”

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will leave Washington next Wednesday morning, just before President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. That’s according to a person familiar with the planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been made public. Trump had already announced that he would not be attending Biden’s inauguration, a break with tradition. He has spent months lobbing baseless allegations of voter fraud in an attempt to delegitimize Biden’s presidency. Vice President Mike Pence will attend in his place. Trump will begin his post-presidential life in Florida as he mulls his future.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has called Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to offer his congratulations. That’s, according to two peoples familiar with the conversation who were granted anonymity to share details of a private conversation. One of the people familiar with the Thursday afternoon conversation described it as a “good call,” with Pence congratulating his successor and offering assistance. The call comes less than a week before President-elect Joe Biden and Harris are set to take office, next Wednesday. It marks the first contact between elected officials from the outgoing and incoming administrations.

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A white military veteran shot and wounded a 15-year-old Black girl during a tense confrontation at a rally in support of President Donald Trump in Iowa last month. Michael McKinney is charged with attempted murder in the Dec. 6 shooting in Des Moines. McKinney, who was heavily armed and wearing body armor, told police he fired in self-defense. He has posted on Facebook in support of the far-right Proud Boys and against Black Lives Matter. Authorities haven’t mentioned the Trump rally or the race of those involved in news releases detailing the shooting, suggesting it was traffic-related. The driver’s mother says the crowd of Trump supporters subjected her daughter and the other girls to racist abuse.

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has dismissed nine felony counts filed against a Black Lives Matter leader in Iowa charged with shining a laser pointer in the eyes of police officers during an August protest. Judge Paul Miller ruled Thursday that the Johnson County Attorney’s Office violated Matè Farrakhan Muhammad’s speedy trial rights by waiting 46 days after his arrest to file a formal charging document, one more day than allowed by law. Miller ruled that six aggravated misdemeanor assault counts related to the same allegations can proceed since they were filed weeks after his arrest. Muhammad has changed his name since his arrest, when he went by the name Matthew Bruce.

 

(AP) The global death toll from COVID-19 has topped 2 million as vaccines developed at breakneck speed are being rolled out around the world in an all-out campaign to vanquish the threat. The milestone was reached on Friday, which is just over a year after the coronavirus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The number of dead was compiled by Johns Hopkins University. It is about equal to the population of Brussels, Mecca, Minsk or Vienna. It took eight months to hit 1 million lives lost. It took less than four months after that to reach the next million.

 

(AP) Health officials say by March, a new and more infectious strain of coronavirus – first found in the United Kingdom – will likely become the dominant strain in the United States. The UK variant currently is in 12 states and has been diagnosed in only 76 of the 23 million U.S. cases reported to date. However, it’s likely that version is more widespread in this country than is currently reported, according to scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it’s considered more infectious than the virus causing the bulk of U.S. cases so far, there’s no evidence that it causes more severe illness or is transmitted differently. Therefore, mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing and other prevention strategies can still work, the CDC says.