VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Health officials at the state, regional and local level held an informational meeting with health industry officials as well as school, county and city leaders at the Hi Liner Activity Center in Valley City on March 13th.
State Epidemiologist Jennifer Schmidt encouraged people wanting to get tested for the coronavirus to call the clinic or emergency room hospital first. She said don’t just show up for testing, call for an appointment with your doctor or the emergency room so nurses can make the proper arrangements.
Schmidt said, if you have a fever of 101 or higher, you should not be at work, call you employer and let them know you have a high fever.
Schmidt said we still don’t have a vaccine for COVID-19 so the for now the best way to prevent it take some of the preventative measures listed below in the City County Health news release.
The Valley City Public School District received an announcement from the North Dakota High School Activities Association that ALL activities, including practices, have been suspended indefinitely.
Superintendent Josh Johnson said any other Non-NDHSAA activities that have been scheduled in the school district will be addressed in future communications to parent, students and the community. During the meeting Johnson talked about some of the preventative measures the school district is taking.
In Johnson’s news release he repeated that the North Dakota High School Activities Association that all activities, including practices, are being suspended indefinitely. In addition to the NDHSAA decision, Valley City Public Schools will suspend indefinitely all K-12 Non-NDHSAA activities beginning on Saturday, March 14th. Valley City Public Schools will suspend all facility use by non-Valley City Public School organizations effective 8:00 AM Saturday March 14th, 2020 until further notice. A final decision regarding any school sponsored out of state travel will be made on or before
Wednesday, March 18th.
As updates and situations related to COVID-19 evolve, the Valley City Public School District encourages you to monitor your email and the district website for the latest district information. The Valley City Public School District will continue to communicate with the local and state health departments, as well as the Department of Public Instruction and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). www.cdc.gov
Meanwhile, Valley City State University president Dr. Alan LaFave said classes will not be held on campus from March 23rd thru April 3rd. He said the university will move to online delivery of course much like they did in 2009 during the spring flood.
The following is a news released issued by the City County Health District office in Valley City.
“Now that North Dakota has its first presumptive case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), local health officials want to assure Valley City/Barnes County residents that they have been meeting with and/or communicating with the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDOH) regarding next steps. Local health facilities, area schools, VCSU health services, long-term care facilities and other entities have been included in these conversations as appropriate.
The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDOH) confirmed the state’s first presumptive case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a Ward County resident on March 11, according to Gov. Doug Burgum. “We have been planning and preparing for this since January, and our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of all North Dakotans,” Burgum said. “With the North Dakota Department of Health and its partners at the state, local and federal levels, we are working together to stay on top of this rapidly evolving situation.”
“Individuals can help protect themselves from COVID-19 by practicing everyday preventative behaviors,” reiterated Theresa Will, City-County Health District administrator. “Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, limit exposure to ill people (if possible), wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content.”
If you are sick, stay home. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands, or cough/sneeze into your elbow, added Will. Everyone from individuals to businesses, health facilities to multi-unit living areas should clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces on a daily basis, or more often if necessary.
Symptoms of COVID-19 in people who have been exposed can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care facility before coming in to see your provider.
“Not everyone will need to come into the clinic to be seen, depending on their symptoms,” said Wendy Hager, clinic director at Sanford clinics in Valley City and Enderlin. “Call ahead to talk with a nurse to triage symptoms and the possibility of exposure based on history.”
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends adults over the age of 60 and individuals with multiple underlying health conditions refrain from group activities. These individuals are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. If you go out, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash hands often.
Local health facilities ask that people support decisions made by administrators to close or limit visitations at this time. “This is for the safety of patients and staff,” said Will. “Please abide by these precautions to protect everyone’s health.”
For questions related to COVID-19, the public can call the NDDoH health hotline at 866-207- 2880 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Individuals who need medical advice should contact their health care provider.
For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDOH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus , follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.”
North Dakota Coronavirus Hotline Number: 1-866-207-2880.