December 9 Press Conference Summary

Current COVID-19 Case Numbers in North Dakota: 55,458 total positive cases, 4,554 active confirmed cases, 86,149 recovered, 1,080 deaths
Speakers: Governor Burgum, Molly Howell, NDDoH Immunization Program Manager

Focus: Vaccines & Executive Orders
 
Additional points of note:

• ND is one of only 5 states that has seen its new cases number drop this week.
  • 14 day rolling average is at 9.4%. This is trending in a downward direction.
  • ND currently has 8 counties with no current active cases.
• Executive Order(s) 
  • Mask requirement from the Department of Health has been extended to January 18, 2021 
  • Early Closings for bars, restaurants and banquets rooms extended to January 8, 2021 
  • High school sports will be allowed to resume on December 14, 2020 
  • Regarding Executive Order 2020-36.1, Drivers Licenses that expired after March 1 must be renewed by December 31, 2020- most of these can be renewed online. 
• Vaccine Update
  • Pfizer emergency use authorization will be considered tomorrow.
    • The vaccine is showing 82% effectiveness in one dose and 95% in the recommended two doses.
    • If this is approved ND has already ordered 6,825 Pfizer doses.
  • Moderna (if approved) will provide 13,000 doses the week of December 20.
  • Healthcare workers and long-term care residents will be first on the list to receive vaccine.
    • There are 70,000 health care workers and 12,000 residents of long-term care facilities.
    • Vaccination should start within the next couple of weeks.
  • General public is asking when they will be eligible to be vaccinated.
    • This is expected to be available in Spring of 2021.
    • When available, people can use https://vaccinefinder.org/ to find where they can get vaccinated.
• Rapid antigen testing
  • Costs less than PCR, delivers faster results (15 min vs 2+days), is easier to administer and preserves PPE.
  • ND has received 500,000 of these tests.
  • There is a plan for administering these tests in medical settings, long-term care and school districts (pilots projects), and plans are being made for law enforcement, higher education and businesses that want to participate. 

Other issues covered: HERG+ grant update over 100 applications received for over $5.7 million. President Trump has extended funding for the National Guard to assist in COVID support. Federal government has suggested that anyone over 65 should not enter indoor public spaces, and anyone who has symptoms should get tested. It is easier to treat if it is found early. Although every death hurts family and friends, North Dakota has one of the highest rates of recovery per capita.
 
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