Governor Holds Call with Commissioners & Mayors to Discuss COVID-19

Local public health officials, county commissioners and city mayors met with Governor Burgum and Lt. Governor Sanford to discuss what work is currently being done to address COVID-19. Represented areas were those with the highest number of current, active COVID cases. The local leaders have been working together within their communities since March and relayed strategies which have been implemented and modified as situations evolve.

Throughout the discussion it was clear that local collaboration has been instrumental during the pandemic response. The ND National Guard was praised for their valuable assistance in testing events. In addition to increased access both in times and locations, most localities are ramping up media campaigns in conjunction with the State’s #maskupND push. It was noted that tribal communities have a mask mandate in place which is well observed. Wearing face coverings in addition to physical distancing while in public are two of the easiest preventive measures to slow the spread.

Recurring challenges across the state continue to be consistent messaging, public compliance, and staffing. Locals reiterated previous requests for consistent messaging at all levels not only to contribute to mitigation strategies but also to alleviate public confusion of expectations. Health officials noted that people are much less cooperative with contact tracers and following quarantine and isolation guidelines. Staffing and onboarding temporary hires to handle the extra work created by the pandemic such as contact tracing and testing continues to be a huge concern.

Community protocols vary across the state depending on the case situations. Spikes or clusters in positive cases are seen in congregate settings and large gatherings. Some mayors and commissioners have taken bold leadership steps by placing a moratorium on large events and asking businesses to limit capacity. These short-term decisive actions are expected to help keep businesses open for the long haul.

Local leader asks:
· Governor explain risk-level restriction guidelines when referring to “colors”
· Discourage mass gatherings – biggest push back yet seems to spread most quickly at mass events
· Personal responsibility – be part of the solution, not the problem
· Quarantine and isolation orders need to come from state and message support local communities
· Hospital data needed
· Counties already established in-person voting location/protocols, would like to keep those open