The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the U.S. state of North Dakota on March 11, 2020. As of 25 October 2020 there are 38,241 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota with a total of 461 deaths and 1,437 people hospitalized. Out of the 49 counties with positive cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota, Burleigh and Cass lead the state for highest number of positive COVID-19 cases, and Cass county with 8,794.
On March 19, Governor Burgum made an executive order limiting access to state facilities.Burgum restricted restaurants and bars to take-out/delivery/drive-through/off-sale service as well as ordered movie theaters, other entertainment venues, health clubs, and gyms to close until April 6. There were a total of 26 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Burgum expanded hospital and health care facility licensure requirements to include telehealth.Burgum broadened eligibility for unemployment benefits relating to COVID-19.
On March 22, two more cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Burleigh County where a young woman in her 30s contracted the virus while traveling and a man in Pierce County contracted the disease after coming in close contact with another infected individual.A total of 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases were in the state, 1,355 have been tested, and 3 individuals were hospitalized.Burgum ordered all public and private K-12 schools to close and advised educators to create online learning platforms for students.On March 23, three positive cases were added in North Dakota bringing the total number of positive COVID-19 cases to 33.No deaths had been reported due to coronavirus in the state, but four individuals remained hospitalized.
There were 45 total cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota, eight total individuals are hospitalized, and no deaths of the virus having been reported. An executive order from Burgum expanded worker’s compensation coverage to first responders and health care providers who contract COVID-19. Burgum announced that the state received a total of 11,700 unemployment claims in the past week.
On March 26, 13 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported by the state from McHenry, Burleigh, Stark, McIntosh, Cass, and Ward counties. A total of 58 cases of coronavirus had been identified in the state, eleven individuals were in the hospital, and no deaths had been reported. Burgum expanded vote-by-mail flexibility by waiving the requirement to have in-person voting facilities for counties.
On March 29, four new cases of coronavirus were confirmed by the state, for a total of 98 positive infections of COVID-19 in North Dakota.A total of 18 people were hospitalized, 19 people had recovered, and one death had been recorded.Governor Burgum requested a major presidential disaster declaration to access emergency federal aid to help the state’s effort of mitigating COVID-19.Federal aid requested by Burgum from the declaration would be used for public infrastructure and facilities, grants to counties and tribal nations, monetary aid for individuals and households, and continuing supplemental nutrition program.
On April 3, there were 13 positive cases of coronavirus for a total of 186 cases in the state. A total of 30 people were hospitalized, 63 had recovered from the virus, and three people had died.Cass County continued to lead the state with the highest number of cases with 48, Burleigh County in second with 34, Stark County in third with 22, and Morton county in fourth with 22 cases of coronavirus.The state received $34 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration to ensure that state transportation would continue to function safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. North Dakota received $18 million from the CARES Act with cities like Fargo getting $8 million, Bismarck getting $3.7 million, and Grand Forks receiving $3.4 million.Tribal national also received grant funding with Standing Rock obtaining $369,000 and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa receiving $191,000.
On October 26, North Dakota reported over 38,000 cases. Governor Burgum met with Dr. Deborah Birx, one of the White House coronavirus coordinators, at Bismarck State College where Birx brought up evidence of the effectiveness of mask mandates that help slow the spread of COVID-19. Burgum reiterated that mask-wearing works, but still held the believe that the individual should have the choice to make the right decision to wear masks in public.
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