VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – There is one additional case of COVID-19 confirmed in Barnes County. The individual is a female in her late teens who is a close contact to a case, and she is currently self-isolating. This newly confirmed case brings the county total to 6, with two considered active.
City-County Health District (CCHD) reminds the public that certain people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“Recent data, along with this new case, shows that the virus is also affecting younger people,” said Theresa Will, Administrator for City-County Health District. “About 7.5 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Dakota (205 of 2,706 people testing positive) have been among preteens and teens between 10-19 years old,” Will said of the ND Department of Health report.
Everyone can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections by:
· Avoiding close contact with others as much as possible
· Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
· Avoiding touching of the eyes, nose, and mouth
· Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces
· Wearing a cloth face covering in public settings where distancing is difficult
“It’s important that we don’t misunderstand what our low number of cases means for Barnes County. A low number does not mean we’re out of the woods, it means we must remain vigilant in exercising personal responsibility to help slow the spread,” said Will.
CCHD reminds the public that as we enter phase 2 of North Dakota’s Smart Re-Start, contact journaling is important. Keep a daily list of who you’ve come in contact with and utilize the free CARE 19 mobile app to help you remember locations you’ve visited.
For the most timely information and updates related to COVID-19 in North Dakota, visit the NDDoH website at www.healthy.nd.gov/coronavirus. Follow City-County Health District on Facebook for Barnes County updates or call 701-845-8518.