Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
We are embarking on our fifth month of learning to live with the coronavirus, and it hasn't got any easier. Regardless of individual health or political beliefs, we have learned that living with uncertainty is difficult. Many would even say stressful.
Here in Eddy County, residents have experienced very little of the impact of COVID-19 and its potential for community spread. Thus, we have been living our lives with a little more care and caution.
Through the state, both testing and positive caseloads have been on the rise. As of press time, there were 128 new cases, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 921. The vast majority of cases still remain in urban areas such as Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck-Mandan and Williston. However, rural counties are gaining in the number of positive tests as well.
From Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23, neighboring Benson County, Ramsey County, and Well County have seen an uptick in cases. Also in that time, five North Dakota residents have died from the virus.
The upward trend hasn't gone unnoticed by the administrators at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd. On Monday, July 20 the long-term care facility announced that due to the increase in COVID cases in the state of North Dakota, visitor restrictions have been tightened.
Upon visiting the Lutheran Home, visitors must check-in at the main entrance. Visitors are expected to wear a mask, sanitize hands, complete symptom screening and always maintain 6 feet for social distancing.
The new visitation hours are Monday - Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon - 5 p.m, with no visits during mealtimes between 11:00-12:00. The changes came less than two weeks after the home had reopened to visitors with less stringent restrictions.
Eddy County Public Information Officer Tiffany Harr reported that there were 3 active positive cases of COVID-19 in the county as of Thursday.
North Dakota has seen a sharp increase in positive COVID-19 tests in the last couple of weeks. Now is the time to become more diligent on hand washing, using sanitizer, disinfecting surfaces, wearing masks and social distancing.
Residents should be aware that there are some businesses across North Dakota that are now requiring people to wear masks upon entering. Among them is Dollar General in New Rockford, as well as nearby Wal-Mart and Menards stores. If residents have any questions on what type of mask to wear or how to make a mask, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
Since the number of positive cases has increased in North Dakota, residents may be wondering how to prepare if they or someone in their household tests positive. The North Dakota Health Department has some very good information in regards to waiting for test results or what a person should do when their test comes back positive, in a Frequently Asked Questions section on their website. Please visit the following websites:
