​January 15 Press Conference Summary

Current COVID-19 Case Numbers in North Dakota: 95,599 total positive cases, 1,675 active confirmed cases, 92,551 recovered, 1,373 deaths.
Speakers: Governor Burgum, Molly Howell, Immunization Program Manager-North Dakota Department of Health, Dr. Josh Ranum-VP of ND Medical Association and Internal Medicine Physician at West River Regional Medical Center

Focus: Mask Mandate allowed to expire on Monday, January 18 at 8:00am

• Statewide Mask Mandate will be allowed to expire on Monday, January 18 at 8:00am, and Risk Levels across the state will be moved to “Moderate.”
• Business capacity requirements will be changed to “Guidelines.” on Monday, January 18 at 8:00am

• Current Statistics
  • Cases/Infection
    • Seven Day Positivity rate of 4.7% is the lowest since August and the fourth lowest in US
      • Only the 4 most populous counties in North Dakota have more than 100 active cases
    • 14 day rolling average is 4.1%
    • Three-pronged approach: Vaccine, Surveillance testing, and Therapeutics will be used to stop the spread of COVID
      • Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics are infusions that can be given to COVID positive people to help the body fight COVID when administered early, when symptoms are mild. 
  • Vaccinations
    • ND is #1 in US as percentage of vaccinations administered based on the number of doses we have received and #4 in the US in first doses administered per capita.
    • The vaccines available are safe and can protect you from the virus. 95% efficacy.
    • 76,275 vaccine doses have been received in ND.
      • 69% of those doses have already been administered.
      • The majority of what is left is a “second dose” so people are waiting for the time when they can receive them.
    • Eligibility
      • Department of Health plan for who is eligible to receive vaccinations when is available 
      • People can use https://www.health.nd.gov/covidvaccinelocator to find where they can get vaccinated.
• Ending our Emergency Declaration would limit North Dakota’s access to available Federal funding for emergencies
  • Other funding made possible due to Federal Money
    • 2000 Economic Resiliency Grant applications and  $27 million awarded,
    • 900 Hospitality ERG applications and $23 million awarded,
    • 200 HospitalityERG+ applications and $7 million awarded