Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Eddy County residents of all ages have tested positive for COVID-19

The novel coronavirus has swept through Eddy County this past month. The total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus exceeded 100 as of Oct. 3. On Thursday, October 8, the North Dakota Department of Health reported two new positive cases in the county and a total of 22 active cases. The number of active cases at any one time last peaked at 31.

Students in grades 7-12 at New Rockford-Sheyenne High School returned to in-person instruction Thursday after an outbreak of COVID-19 forced 95 students and staff identified as "close contacts" into quarantine.

On Wednesday, NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters announced via Facebook that she had been hospitalized for COVID-19 and was returning to work for the first time in two weeks. In a post to the school's Facebook page, she stated, "We need to move towards the normalcy of our education platform. As you recall, we began our school year with a very prescriptive, conservative approach to our reentry: masks were and will continue to be required, we conducted temp checks, students were isolated throughout the day in the classrooms to minimize points of transmission... As of yesterday, as a school we have now experienced 95 close contacts, and five positive student cases. In addition, over the past two weeks we have had 15 staff members (various roles) out for extended periods of time with either a positive or household case."

She noted that the impact of COVID-19 extends well beyond physical health, with isolation and extended periods away from school and work creating negative outcomes for students and staff in other areas such as mental health and school performance. She said the school will work towards a full re-integration of students at the start of the second quarter, Oct. 26.

The school isn't the only institution struggling due to COVID. Throughout the community, stores and offices are less than fully staffed. Essential services such as the fire department, the ambulance service and the sheriff's department are facing the juggle as staff members have indeed tested positive or been identified as a close contact.

New Rockford City Commission President Stu Richter announced Monday at the commission's regular meeting that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was in isolation. Additionally, two city employees had spent time in quarantine during the past month due to close contact with other positive cases. Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies spent time in the hospital last week battling COVID-19 as well.

A person who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to maintain isolation for up to 10 days. In addition, individuals who have been identified as close contacts are recommended to quarantine for 14 days.

Although it is inconvenient, the importance of isolating upon testing positive or quarantining after being named a close contact cannot be understated. Public Health Nurse Danette Schmid says she has encountered a fair amount of local resistance to quarantine, and she reminds community members that the reason to do so is clear. "North Dakota Department of Health estimates that 28.7% of close contacts go on to test as positive," she noted.

In the past weeks, CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington reports, "We have seen an increase in the numbers from Eddy and Foster counties. We have also performed tests for Stutsman, Griggs, and Nelson counties. Our facility has been and currently offers a drive-up option for rapid testing.  Drive up testing must still be scheduled. With colder weather approaching we are re-evaluating this process and trying to determine the best options going forward," reported Foster County Medical Center clinic manager Jodi Hovdenes.

CHI Health Carrington does not offer rapid testing for close contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals who are exhibiting no symptoms. Close contacts are contacted by public health and informed of testing availability. Testing of patients with COVID-19 symptoms occurs at the hospital. Testing of patients who are not exhibiting COVID symptoms occurs at the local public health unit.

As of Tuesday, CHI Health Carrington was caring for three patients with COVID-19. On average, a hospital stay related to COVID-19 is about 7.5 days.

At the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, staff are implementing twice a week testing due to elevated community concerns. As of Wednesday, there were two employees of the facility with COVID-19.

Effective Oct. 7, the Eddy County Courthouse is closed to the public and available by appointment only. Officials also recommend that visitors wear a mask when entering the courthouse.

Patrons are asked to please use the drop off box located at the bottom of the Courthouse steps to drop off documents for the different County Departments, and to drop off ballot applications for the Auditor.

Governor Doug Burgum spoke to the challenges that face this as well as many other counties. "From the beginning, our approach to this pandemic has emphasized personal responsibility and a light touch of government, as evidenced by the fact that we're one of the most open states, with schools and universities back in session, the economy open and the nation's sixth-lowest unemployment rate," Burgum said. "Given the nature of this disease, it takes community collaboration to bend the curve, and in many counties right now as we reach record cases and positive rates, the curve is going the wrong direction. We need a light touch of government with more local leadership and collaboration, and we feel we can better support those efforts by working more closely with local public health and community leaders to identify mitigation strategies that will work and be supported in each community."

As we continue through the uncertainty and frustration that comes along with the pandemic, Eddy County Community Cares is working to find ways to cope with stress.

Project Renew, a new behavioral health program providing community support services and outreach to individuals impacts by the COVID-19 pandemic, in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. Call (701) 223-1510 (M-F between 8-5 p.m. CT) OR email [email protected]. Visit projectrenew.nd.gov for information on coping.

To date, more than 80 individuals in the county have recovered from COVID-19. While many of us know someone who has affected by the virus, the toll that COVID takes physically and emotionally still remains elusive to many.

In an effort to personalize this pandemic, the Transcript would like to feature real life stories involving the battle against COVID-19. Please contact the Transcript if you would like to share your story of COVID recovery. We would be more than happy to help share your story and help others to connect to your experience at this difficult time.