JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Central Valley Health District (CVHD) is asking for members of the public to remain patient as they work their way through the first phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

The vaccine, which began to rollout in North Dakota at the end of 2020, is currently being offered to health care workers in direct contact with COVID-19. This includes first responders and long-term care residents and staff.

Unit Administrator Robin Iszler says vaccine distribution continues at a steady pace in the first priority group.

Iszler added that as they progress through the different priority groups, they are having meetings with area healthcare providers to come up with a mass vaccination when it becomes available to the public.

Director of Health Promotions Shannon Klatt says the North Dakota Ethics Committee established the priority groups for those who should receive the vaccine first before it becomes offered to the general public.

Klatt says once the other tiers are complete and it’s been offered to all essential workers, they’ll begin distributing the vaccine to the public.

Klatt says once they’re ready to transition to the next phases, they will make announcements on their website centralvalleyhealth.org and on their Facebook page.

Iszler added that the state continues to receive around 10,000 doses per week.

She pointed out that those who are vaccinated are still highly encouraged to socially distance, wear their masks, and stay home when they’re feeling ill.

Klatt added that they are still doing regular and rapid testing COVID-19 testing at the Jamestown Civic Center.

For further updates, follow their Facebook page,  call 701-252-8130, or visit visit centralvalleyhealth.org.

Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Robin Iszler & Shannon Klatt below: