Governor extends business closures to April 20

March 26

The North Dakota Department of Health (ND- DoH) confirmed 13 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 58 confirmed cases. Five new cases were confirmed today in Burleigh County, three in Stark County, two in Cass County and one each in McIntosh, McHenry and Ward counties. Elev- en had been hospitalized.

Gov. Doug Burgum released modified operating practices and an emergency grant program for child care providers to help them through the crisis and ensure that child care services are available for essential workers. For additional details, see the Provider Resources section on the DHS website at http:// http://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/ covid-19/index.html.

The governor also signed an executive order Thurs- day giving counties the option to hold their upcoming primary elections through mail ballot only to protect public health during the coronavirus emergency.

COVID-19 Friday, bring- ing the current number to 68. There were 16 patients hospitalized, and 15 people were reported to have recovered.

The governor also signed an executive order Thursday giving counties the option to hold their upcoming primary elections through mail ballot only to protect public health during the coronavirus emergency.

“All North Dakota citizens should be able to exercise their right to vote without risking their health,” Burgum said.

March 27

NDDoH reported the first confirmed death of a North Dakota resident due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The deceased was a man in his 90s from Cass County who had underlying health conditions and acquired COVID-19 through community spread.

“My heart is with the friends, family and caregivers who are grieving,” said State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte. “As a courtesy, we ask that you respect the privacy of the family at this time. Now more than ever, we need to take care of each other and do our part to prevent the spread of this virus.”

NDDoH confirmed 10 additional cases of COVID-19 Friday, bring- ing the current number to 68. There were 16 patients hospitalized, and 15 people were reported to have recovered.

The state has taken significant steps to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19:

• Expanding telehealth services and suspending licensing requirements to allow licensed health care workers from other states to practice in North Dakota.

• Recommending limiting access to nursing homes and conducting site visits at all 218 skilled nursing, basic care and assisted living facilities in North Dakota.

• Expanding unemployment insurance eligibility and streamlining the application process.

• Providing public education and recommendations on the importance of social distancing, practicing good hygiene and staying home when sick or after returning from travel to known COVID-19 hotspots.

March 28-29

Saturday saw a 38% surge in new cases, from 68 to 94. On Sunday there were four new cases reported, for a total of 98.

On Sunday President Donald Trump extended national social distancing guidelines to April 30. Trump said his administration was extending the guidelines to avoid a major death toll, as he pointed to a forecast estimating that the U.S. could have 2.2 million deaths from COVID-19 if drastic measures aren’t taken to mitigate the outbreak. Trump said the administration is working to keep the projected death toll below 100,000. That day the U.S. case count climbed to 142,004, and 2,484 Americans had died from the virus, while 4,559 people had recovered.

Here at home in Eddy County, more businesses (such as salons, massage therapists and other personal care professionals) were ordered closed.

March 30

Burgum extended his sympathies to the families and friends of two more people who passed away: a woman in her 80s from McHenry County and a man in his 70s from Morton County. Both had underlying health conditions and acquired COVID-19 through community spread.

The number of positive cases shot up above 100 for the first time today. As of 9 a.m. CDT, there were 109 positive cases throughout the state, up 11 from Sunday. There were positive cases reported in 19 N.D. counties as of Monday, with half of the cases in the state's two largest counties, Burleigh and Cass.

March 31

The NDDoH confirmed 17 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total to 126 confirmed cases. A total of 4,257 tests had been completed.

Despite broad and consistent messaging about the need for people to practice social distancing, Burgum said there continue to be reports of people gathering in large groups and not heeding social distancing guidelines. He urged North Dakotans to stay home if they’re sick, avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from holding gatherings of 10 people or more, and frequently wash their hands.

Burgum amended an earlier executive order to allow certain school districts to open facilities through the month of May for the purpose of providing childcare services in grades K-5. He also signed two new executive orders: one suspends the physical meeting location requirement for open meeting and instead directs public bodies to provide a phone conference dial-in number or/and an electronic link to a livestream to ensure public access to their meetings. The second order suspended the deadline for public libraries to submit state aid applications and reports and also extended the deadlines for livestock auction licensing and pesticide application licensing.

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Kevin Cramer joined Burgum in the press conference and discussed details of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the relief it will provide for North Dakotans.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced the activation of North Dakota’s Workforce Coordination Center (WCC) to serve the emergency workforce needs in support of health care providers, industries and agencies affected by COVID-19.

The center seeks individuals willing to help with the COVID-19 situation who have experience in the following sectors: health care and public health; law enforcement, public safety and first responders; emergency shelters, congregate living facilities, drop-in centers; child care; food and agriculture; news media; energy; water and wastewater; critical manufacturing.

The WCC is looking for both volunteers and paid staff. Applicants will be matched with a business or agency that needs their help. North Dakota businesses that have a workforce need related to COVID-19 are also encouraged to contact the WCC so the agency can connect businesses with the volunteers and workforce they need. To get started, contact the Job Service North Dakota Workforce Center at (701) 328-0400, or go to www. jobsnd.com/covid-19.

April 1

As of Wednesday, there were 147 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, a number that had nearly tri- pled from the 58 reported as of last Thursday. There were 22 new cases reported. In light of the continued increase in case numbers, Burgum extended his business closing order another 14 days, to April 20. Therefore, the changes to business operations at many local firms will continue for the time being. For up to date information on local business, click the “New Rockford Business Notices” icon on the right sidebar of the Transcript website, www. newrockfordtranscript.com.