VALLEY CITY, N.D. (CCHD) – The following is a news release by the City County Health District Office in Valley City.

“COVID-19 vaccinations are gearing up in Barnes County. Over 200 COVID-19 vaccinations were given on February 25 in Valley City at the Hi-Liner Activity Center. Another 400 vaccinations will be given on March 3rd, again at the HAC. In addition Sanford Health and Essentia Health are providing vaccine to their patients and each of the participating pharmacies will be receiving 100 doses this week.

City County Health District (CCHD) , the Incident Command Center for COVID-19 for Barnes County is the lead agency for managing COVID-19 in Barnes County and is in charge of these mass clinics which can reach out to all Barnes County adults. The North Dakota National Guard has been called in to assist with these mass vaccinations.

At the recent CCHD board meeting a variety of positive comments were shared with the board. Theresa Will, CCHD director and Incident Command Coordinator stated, “I am pleased with how the vaccinations are going, everything is going very smoothly. We have a terrific staff and they are working overtime to help our community get vaccinated.”

To date 3186 doses have been given in Barnes County (two doses per person) with 11.2% of county adults having received both shots. Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccine are being used. There are presently 6 active covid cases in the county.

The vaccine campaign is now moving into the second phase with persons age 65 and older with or without high risk medical conditions and person with two or more high risk medical conditions regardless of age. Child care workers and workers employed by preschools or Kindergarten through grade 12 can receive vaccinations at this time.

The Senior Citizen Center is offering free bus rides to any individuals needing transportation to the vaccine site. Everyone coming to a vaccination site must wear a mask. For now, people who have been vaccinated should wear a mask.

Anyone receiving a COVID-19 vaccination must register. Go to the City County Health District website (www.citycountyhealth.org) and click on “COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics”. All registration and criteria information will be found there. If you do not have a computer or need assistance registering, call CCHD at 845-8518.

Vaccine Clinic Valley City

Vaccine Clinic one

Heather Schwehr from CCHD and the ND National Guard registered people who came to the Hi-Liner Activity Center for the COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic on February 24. A second mass vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, March 3. Go to this website for the criteria for receiving a shot and to register (www.citycountyhealth.org).

Vaccine Clinic Two

Theresa Will, RN, CCHD director and Incident Command Coordinator, along with Kristen Bear, RN and Amanda Nielson, RN were part of the team giving vaccinations at the mass vaccination clinic held Wednesday, February 24 at the HAC.