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Dakota Download Governor Burgum's Weekly Update - May 10, 2020

North Dakota gets new PPE disinfection system as recovered COVID-19 cases surpass active cases

Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday highlighted a new capability that will help North Dakota meet demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic, as the state’s number of recovered COVID-19 cases surpassed the number of active cases.

On Monday, the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) will begin operation of a Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System for PPE. The mobile decontamination system is self-contained and uses vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate N95 respirator masks.

“Having an ample supply of PPE was one of our eight criteria for moving ahead with the ND Smart Restart, and the Battelle system will further improve our PPE capacity while also better preparing us for a potential second surge in COVID-19 cases,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to our federal, state, local and private partners for their continued collaboration to save lives and livelihoods in North Dakota.”

North Dakota has one of 60 Battelle systems distributed nationwide. The state requested the Battelle system on April 15 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), after the system received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Columbus, Ohio-based Battelle is supplying staff to operate the system in NDDoH-leased warehouse space in Bismarck.

The systems and staff to run the Battelle system are funded through the Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and FEMA to help address national shortages of N95 respirators.

Catch up on all of the coronavirus-related news and press briefings from this week at NDResponse.gov.

Burgum, local leaders announce Red River Valley COVID-19 Task Force to address concentration of cases

Gov. Burgum on Wednesday was joined by local leaders in announcing a new Red River Valley COVID-19 Task Force to address an increasing concentration of COVID-19 cases in Cass County.

“While we have expanded testing and deployed rapid response teams to Cass County, we can do more to slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota’s largest metro area,” Burgum said. “We’re grateful to these local leaders and health care officials for their partnership and dedication to protecting public health and saving lives and livelihoods.”

The Red River Valley COVID-19 Task Force will work to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, dedicating state and county resources to assist in three primary areas:

  • Prevention measures and testing, including a focused testing strategy that will focus on high-risk populations, including residents and staff in long-term care facilities and congregate living settings. The testing strategy was developed with local public health officials, the state’s advising physicians and North Dakota Department of Health Disease Control experts.
  • Contact tracing, expanding the number of individuals doing contact tracing including engaging local nonprofit organizations to assist.
  • Support for isolation and quarantine, increasing access to community resources and wrap around services for non-hospitalized positive COVID-19 cases and their close contacts.

Virtual service held at Capitol for National Day of Prayer

Gov. Burgum spoke at a virtual service held Thursday in observance of National Day of Prayer. The event, which typically attracts hundreds of attendees at the Capitol, was only held by livestream this year due to the COVID-19 crisis.

"Today, people across our great nation are praying in their own ways, in their own places and in their own faiths," Burgum said. "Regardless of race, color, creed or denomination, regardless of whether we attend a house of worship or worship in our own home, we all want a better, safer world for ourselves, our children and future generations."

Speakers at the event gave special recognition to the health care workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus and thanked them for their efforts to save lives. Hundreds of speakers joined online to watch the event and join in prayer.

Team ND is working as one to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) and other state agencies are working around the clock to slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota. In partnership with federal, local and tribal partners, Team ND is tackling this pandemic through a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach.

Every North Dakotan has a role to play in protecting their fellow citizens.

Individuals can help protect themselves from COVID-19 by practicing everyday preventative behaviors. Stay home, avoid non-essential trips, cover coughs and sneezes, frequently wash hands with soap and water and clean frequently touched surfaces.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website, follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website.