VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Dr. Chelsea Traverse is the new Barnes County health officer as of September 2, 2021; she replaces Dr. James Buhr.

Dr. Traverse is originally from Munich, ND, attended college at the University of Sioux Falls and attended the University of North Dakota Medical School. She completed a residency in family medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and began work at Sanford Health in Valley City in July of 2016.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the work time of both of these Barnes County Health Officers. Dr. Buhr states that he has not seen a pandemic of this magnitude in his entire 40 year career until COVID-19. Both doctors agree that the pandemic can get under control through vaccination, and they encourage everyone in Barnes County to find the time and get vaccinated. And if the individual is not willing to be vaccinated, it is essential to wear a mask.

Traverse continues, “We hear a lot about severe COVID-19 with the cough, shortness of breath, and low oxygen, landing people in the hospital. But in it’s mild form, COVID-19 is ‘just a cold’. Please do not assume it is not COVID-19 if you have ‘just a cold’. Stay home if you are sick, especially until you have a negative COVID-19 test.”

Traverse says she’s heard more comments lately about not wanting to get vaccinated because “I will just be able to get the antibodies if I get sick. However, we are dealing with a national shortage of antibodies, and this is not something you can count on. The better plan is to get vaccinated so you have your own antibodies should you get exposed to COVID-19 rather than planning to get external antibodies to protect you.”