BISMARCK — The North Dakota Department of Health on Friday, Feb. 12, reported one COVID-19 death and a small increase in active cases.
The department says 1,431 North Dakotans have died from the illness since March, including Friday's report of one Williams County woman in her 40s, much younger than the average age of North Dakotans who have died with the virus. At least 874 of the state's deaths have come in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. There are just five nursing home residents known to be infected in the state, according to the health department.
Active COVID-19 cases increased by six on Friday, according to the latest report, bringing the total to 801. There are 39 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the state, the same as the day before.
North Dakota's case count and death rates have fallen since a peak in mid-November, and active infections dipped below 1,000 last week for the first time since August. With active case numbers hovering in the 700s and low 800s this week, the state's virus levels are at their lowest point since July. The state now has the nation's second lowest number of cases per capita over the last week behind only Hawaii, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
At a news conference Wednesday, vaccine coordinator Molly Howell said the state received nearly 12,000 scheduled doses of the vaccine this week, plus 2,300 doses that the federal government is sending directly to 30 Thrifty White pharmacies across the state for distribution to residents over 65. The doses sent to the pharmacies are part of a new program, and eligible vaccine-seekers should try to set up an appointment at thriftywhite.com/covid19vaccine .
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The department reported 118 new cases on Friday, including:
Twenty-three from Burleigh County, which includes Bismarck.
Twenty-four from Cass County, which includes Fargo.
Fifteen from Grand Forks County.
About 2.1% of the residents tested as part of the latest batch received a positive result, and an average of 2.5% of those tested in the last two weeks got a positive result. Forty-six of Friday's positives came off rapid tests, while the rest came off traditional tests.
North Dakota is a national leader in administering the COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 85% of the state's allocation already having been given to residents, as of Saturday. So far, almost 150,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered, and more than 45,000 residents have received both doses.
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