JAMESTOWN, N.D. (CVH) – Stutsman County continues to see an increase in lab-confirmed positive cases of the novel coronavirus with 137 active cases.

Stutsman County currently has a higher 14-day rolling average positivity rate (6.31%) when compared to the statewide positivity of North Dakota rate (5.60%).  While Stutsman County continues to remain in the “green category” of the ND Smart Restart Plan, category changes are imminent in the near future if our county’s data continues to worsen.

“Central Valley Health and our local Emergency Operation Center committee continue to be very concerned with the rise in positive cases in Jamestown and Stutsman County,” says Robin Iszler, Unit Administrator at Central Valley Health District.  The Emergency Operations Center is comprised of local health and safety officials who meets weekly to discuss current local conditions, while planning for the future to keep the community safe.

“Prevention is currently the only defense we have against the virus and we must all work together to halt the spread and protect our residents,” say Dwaine Heinrich, City of Jamestown Mayor.  Prevention measures include wearing face coverings, limiting social interactions to 15 minutes or less, practicing hand hygiene and social distancing (6 feet minimum).  

Mayor Heinrich urges the community to follow prevention measures or stricter policy orders may be necessary.  “As Mayor of Jamestown, I have the authority to strengthen our safety practices through policy changes such as: public mask mandates and early shut down of bars, restaurants and local gatherings (i.e. weddings, etc.),” states Heinrich.  The Mayor stresses that changes will not be made without extensive assessment of the community’s conditions by local health and safety officials of the Emergency Operations Center.  “In order to keep our local business and economy going and schools open, our residents need to be healthy and our community data needs to improve,” say Heinrich.

Iszler commends local businesses.  “We would like to recognize local businesses who have mandated the use of face coverings; including Hugos, Walmart and Menards,” says Iszler.  While mask mandates are not currently in order, these businesses have gone the extra step to ensure their staff and customers are health and safe.  “Central Valley Health encourages all local businesses to put their staff and customers first by requiring masks and ensuring strict social distancing measures in the facility,” says Iszler.

Enacting policy measures is not what local health and safety officials want for the community, but difficult decisions may be made if the facts warrant.  “If you are sick, a close contact and/or a positive case, please stay home.  Keep yourself, your friends, and your neighbors safe and free from additional regulations,” says Mayor Hienrich.

For more information on the ND Smart Restart Plan, visit https://www.ndresponse.gov/covid-19-resources.