The situation with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is dynamic and evolving, but the risk continues to be low in North Dakota and in the United States. As of March 6, we have zero positive cases in North Dakota. The North Dakota Department of Health is working with the CDC and partners across North Dakota to minimize the risk of COVID-19 to North Dakotans. It takes a team effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, or any infectious disease, and our focus and message continues to be to prepare, not panic.
QUALITY INFORMATION
For the most credible and timely information and updates related to COVID-19 visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow the NDDoH on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Share NDDoH and CDC social media posts with your friends and family to help keep them informed.
EVERYDAY PREVENTION
Tips for preventing COVID-19 are the same as tips for preventing other viruses and the flu:
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, elbow or arm.
- Stay home when you’re sick.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid shaking hands. Instead, consider a head nod, slight bow or an elbow bump.
WHAT CAN YOU DO
- Read up on how to prepare at home and at work. The risk to North Dakotans remains low. Vulnerable populations include older adults and individuals with multiple chronic conditions.
- Know the symptoms: Symptoms of the COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Team members who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Team members should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick. If you are being tested for COVID-19, please follow NDDoH Guidance.
- Stay up to date on travel advisories: As of March 6, the CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. Any traveler arriving from these countries should stay at home for 14 days after returning to the U.S. to self-monitor for symptoms. They should also self-report at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus to receive information on how to self-monitor. As far as domestic travel, team members should use their best judgement when traveling out of state to impacted areas. Visit the CDC travel website frequently for recommendations and guidelines on international and domestic travel.
AT THE CAPITOL
- Capitol custodial team members are sanitizing public use areas such as elevators, door handles, light switches and handrails more frequently than usual.
- Elior, the company that runs the Capitol Cafe, has instructed their team members to sanitize communal surfaces and frequently touched objects more frequently than usual, and reminded them of their hand washing policy.
If there are any changes to Team ND risk or safety, more information will be shared via email. Contact Lisa Kudelka, Chief People Officer, at 701.328.1638 if you have any questions.