North Dakota governor promises ‘widespread rapid testing’
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Tuesday the state plans to increase widespread testing and contact tracing for the coronavirus in order to help protect vulnerable residents and meet White House guidelines to put people back to work.
The announcement came after health officials reported 240 new tests for COVID-19, which Burum called a “disappointing low number” due to an expected lag in reporting and the fact that there were no targeted screening efforts as in previous days. The state reported more than 1,100 tests Monday, capping off a wide-ranging effort that included 424 examinations of people associated with an outbreak at a Grand Forks wind turbine plant.
“There will be numerous more rapid response teams going out to coordinate with local providers to get as many tests as possible,” Burgum said.
The state’s ability to meet the White House goal of a May 1 grand opening will depend on a “team testing effort,” Burgum said. While he’s confident the state will “make great strides” toward that objective, Burgum added that he “can’t predict human behavior.”
The governor added that North Dakota has kept more businesses open through the pandemic than most states.
Burgum’s briefing Tuesday focused on nursing home residents. He unveiled a “vulnerable population protection plan” that is meant to isolate infected people who are in long-term care and other healthcare facilities and increase testing among staff members and other patients.
“This is a place where we can really work to save lives,” he said.
Nearly 15,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 in North Dakota, with nearly 650 people testing positive. There are currently 17 hospitalized for the virus. Thirteen people have died.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.