{"id":194504,"date":"2020-03-18T16:16:04","date_gmt":"2020-03-18T21:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=194504"},"modified":"2020-03-19T06:58:41","modified_gmt":"2020-03-19T11:58:41","slug":"gov-burgum-news-conference-4-p-m-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=194504","title":{"rendered":"Update from Gov Burgum Weds News Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Bismarck\u00a0 (State Health Dept, Mar 18, 2020) \u2013 The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Wednesday confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 both are confirmed cases of community spread of the disease in North Dakota, in Morton County.<\/p>\n

The additional confirmations bring the total to 7 confirmed cases in North Dakota, of 362 individuals tested, as of Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Community spread means the spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. In the Morton County the patients are female, one in her 30\u2019s the other in the 10-19 years old range. \u00a0\u00a0They are not hospitalized and are self-isolating at home.\u00a0\u00a0Neither had a history of traveling, and contracted the virus inside of North Dakota.<\/p>\n

News Conference starts at approximately 16:35 into video:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ndhealth\/videos\/199220544737121\/?t=1002<\/p>\n

The\u00a0NDDoH\u00a0is working to identify other individuals who may have come into close contact with the patients while they were symptomatic. These individuals will be contacted directly by the\u00a0NDDoH. These individuals will be monitored by public health for fever and respiratory symptoms.<\/p>\n

Burgum said, \u201cThese are first confirmed cases of community transmission in North Dakota, and it reinforces the importance for all North Dakotans to practice social distancing and stay home when you\u2019re sick, even if it\u2019s minor.\u201d<\/p>\n

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One of the Ward County men confirmed to have COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, is on the Minot Air Force Base, military officials said Wednesday, March 18.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The man, who is in his 60s, is not a member of the military and was confirmed to have coronavirus on Tuesday, according to a base spokesperson. The case was first announced by state officials, who said the man had a history of travel to an area with a high concentration of cases.<\/p>\n

With evidence of community spread now in North Dakota, Burgum strongly recommended that movie theaters, gyms and similar types of businesses where the public congregates consider closing, and that restaurants and bars consider closing or switching to food takeout or delivery options only. Burgum said the potential for mandatory closures will be evaluated on a day-by-day basis, with a focus on whether people are exercising personal responsibility and practicing social distancing.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf you are sick, you need to stay home. If you are being tested for COVID-19 or a family member is, you need to stay home until your test results are in,\u201d said\u00a0Mylynn\u00a0Tufte, North Dakota State Health Officer. \u201cSelf-isolating, washing your hands and keeping six feet away from other individuals is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n

Burgum, Tufte and state health officials strongly recommend that North Dakotans follow the\u00a0guidelines<\/a>\u00a0released by the White House on Monday to slow the spread of coronavirus, including:<\/p>\n