Jamestown  (CVHD)   COVID-19 infection rates have been increasing in Stutsman County over the past week with 82 positives currently being report.  COVID infections in the community has included both the fully vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated.  The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) has just recently began releasing “breakthrough cases,” which refers to a person who has been COVID vaccinated contracting the virus.  While the vaccine does not completely prevent a person from becoming infected with COVID, it significantly reduces the risk from becoming very ill.  In comparison, 1 in 15 unvaccinated individuals have tested positive for COVID, while only 1 in 147 fully vaccinated individuals have tested positive, according to the NDDoH.  

 

Healthcare professionals in Stutsman County are concerned about the recent increase in COVID-19 infections in the community.  According to Tania Nygaard, provider for Essentia Health of Jamestown, “We have seen a rise in COVID over the past few weeks. This week we tested 27 individuals, and of those, 4 came back positive.  All 4 were unvaccinated.”

 

Essentia Health is seeing increased cases in children this Fall.  Essentia Health is strongly encouraging all who are eligible to get vaccinated. “The vaccine not only substantially reduces your chances of getting sick, but it also reduces the risk of spreading this disease to those whose immune systems are not strong enough to fight this – elderly, young children, babies, cancer patients, immunocompromised,” states Nygaard.

 

According to Tonie Lagodinski, Administrator for Ave Maria, “We are also concerned about the rise in COVID-19 cases in Stutsman County.  We continue to follow the guidance from Centers for Disease Control, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the ND Department of Health to ensure the safety of our residents and employees at Ave Maria Village.  This includes testing all residents and employees and reporting positive cases to the state Dept. of Health. Our staff and residents are following the recommended preventative actions.”  

 

Central Valley Health District (CVHD) is seeing an increase in individuals interested in vaccination.  “Appointments at our vaccine clinics are full and more people are calling to make vaccine appointments,” reported Robin Iszler, Administrator for CVHD.

 

While increased vaccinations are encouraging, CVHD is also reporting increasing numbers of those seeking testing and increases in numbers testing positive.  This week [Tuesday and Wednesday], Central Valley Health has already tested nearly 200 individuals, resulting in 23 positive cases.

 

“We are seeing a rise in those needing to be tested and recently we are seeing more individuals who are experiencing symptoms and more children,” stated Iszler

 

CVHD continues to offer weekly COVID testing and vaccinations in the community.  For dates and times of vaccinations and testing events – visit centralvalleyhealth.org for up to date information.

For more information, please call CVHD at 252-8130.