Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his Monday News Briefing at 4-p.m., in Bismarck to provide updates related to COVID-19 in North Dakota. He was joined by U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer to discuss the federal response to the pandemic and the passage of the new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. He opened the briefing with updates on North Dakota COVID-19 information. Comments start at approximately 12 minutes into video.

https://www.facebook.com/ndhealth/videos/1090473557971444/?t=710

COVID-19 P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 30 at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Latest reported death…

  • Man in his 30s from Stark County, possible travel

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Under Investigation

RECENT DEATHS RELATED TO COVID-19 REPORTED MONDAY

  • Woman in her 80s from McHenry County with underlying health conditions who acquired COVID-19 through community spread.
  • Man in his 70s from Morton County with underlying health conditions who acquired COVID-19 through community spread.

BY THE NUMBERS

3909 – Total Tested (+185 individuals from yesterday)

3800 – Negative (+174 individuals from yesterday)

109 – Positive (+11 individuals from yesterday)

19 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

20 – Recovered (+2 individual from yesterday)

3 – Death (+2 individuals from yesterday)

He reminded residents to stay home if sick, and self-isolate if tested positive, avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from holding gatherings of 10 people or more, and frequently wash their hands.

Despite broad and consistent messaging about the need for people to practice social distancing, as well as executive orders aimed at limiting large gatherings and person-to-person contact at businesses, Burgum said there continues to be reports of people gathering in large groups and not heeding social distancing guidelines.

He updated increased unemployment benefits, updated SBA forgivable loans, and federal dollars coming to Native Americans .

Signe by Burgum, an amended order allows certain public school districts to open facilities through the month of May, for the limited purpose of providing child care services to children in grades K-5 only, for K-12 teachers and other health, safety and lifeline worker households, as identified by the Department of Human Services.

In consultation with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Burgum signed a new executive order that suspends the open meeting requirement of a physical meeting room and a speakerphone or monitor at a physical location, when members of the governing body are attending remotely. Meetings of a governing body where members appear by remote means must provide a conference dial-in number or an electronic link to real-time or livestream public access.

The other new executive order allows temporary suspension of deadlines for public libraries to submit state aid applications and reports. It also extends the deadlines for livestock auction licensing and pesticide application licensing.

 

Burgum was joined by North Dakota U.S. Senators, John Hoeven, and Kevin Cramer.

Senator John Hoeven thanked North Dakotans for taking initiatives to help slow the spread o cornonavirus.

He said the economic stimulus checks, will be coming by direct deposit if in the IRS files from previous tax filings.   Others will be sent by mail.  IRS.gov has more information including those who did not have to file a tax return but have work eligible social security numbers, and how, they will receive checks.

He outlined support federal tax dollars being deployed for hospitals, healthcare and the ag-industry.

The federal Cornonavirus Relief Fund will send $1.2-billion to North Dakota.

He outlined SBA loans available for Native Americans in North Dakota.

Senator Kevin Cramer, said his office and Governor Burgum’s office are in constant contact, and offered his condolences to families who have lost loved ones to the COVID-10 virus.

With oil prices he pointed out that lower oil prices in the middle east translates to lower revenues coming to North Dakota.  He said that lower gas prices are great, but with reduced driving right now, it’s not as effective as it otherwise would be.

He said while in Washington, DC he and Senator Hoeven have been observing social distancing, saying that self isolation, on advice of the senate physician the two North Dakota senators was not required, neither having been in direct contact with Senator Rand Paul who was tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Cramer added that he’s written a letter to President Trump asking him consider embargoing Saudi Arabian oil.

He also pointed out numerous pieces of federal legislation freeing up funding for states, Native American Tribes, and local governments during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Burgum, Hoeven, Cramer, U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and other state and federal officials also held a conference call with more than 100 agriculture commodity groups, auctioneers, implement dealers, motor carriers, bankers and credit service about COVID-19 response and programs.

Other Monday News Releases

Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette announced Monday that the North Dakota State Capitol and select locations of the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) will begin implementing a COVID-19 public screening processes.

– Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread Monday announced the issuance of seven bulletins in response to executive orders made by Governor Doug Burgum and in the interest of protecting North Dakotans during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. COVID-19 is a highly contagious, viral disease for which the only known method of prevention is to avoid being exposed to the virus by reducing contact with other individuals.

 

Godfread said,“Over the past 20 days, the Insurance Department has been working to provide clarity and consistency to consumers, agents and companies with how North Dakota is addressing this public health crisis. Issuing such a large number of bulletins and interfering with the way North Dakota insurance producers and companies conduct business isn’t a responsibility that I take lightly, however, there were issues that needed to be addressed quickly during this critical time. Now more than ever, we need to follow the instructions provided by the CDC to not only protect ourselves, family and friends, but also the medical professionals in our state providing critical services throughout all of our communities. I hope that these bulletins will assist in doing that.”

To read all of the bulletins in their entirety, visit insurance.nd.gov/bulletins.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is now scheduling appointments for commercial driver license (CDL) knowledge and road tests, as well as adding endorsements. CDL services are available by appointment only and walk-ins will not be accepted at this time.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling NDDOT at 701-328-3489 or toll free 1-855-633-6835. Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The CDL appointments began Monday and are only available to CDL drivers and temporary agricultural workers (H-2A). If you already have an appointment scheduled, you will be contacted by NDDOT with further instruction prior to your appointment.

“CDL drivers are essential to the state’s economy as they work to move medical supplies, business and agricultural commodities throughout the nation,” said NDDOT Director Bill Panos.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended CDL expirations until June 30 across the U.S. for CDLs due for renewal on or after March 1, 2020. CDL holders that have a medical certification card issued for a period of at least 90 days and that expire on or after March 1, 2020 are valid until June 30,2020.

Governor Burgum’s Executive order 2020-07, waives the expiration date on all driver licenses which expire from March 1, 2020 until the declared disaster has ended.

In addition to these changes, it is important to let North Dakota citizens know that the Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline for REAL ID until October 1, 2021.

For more information about online driver license and motor vehicle services visit www.dot.nd.gov