1. Altru considers using asymptomatic staff to work in COVID unit
Altru is evaluating how it might safely schedule asymptomatic staff to work in its COVID-19 unit following an announcement Monday, Nov. 9, from Gov. Doug Burgum that the state would allow hospitals and other health care facilities to do so as they deal with staffing difficulties during the pandemic.
“If implemented, we would follow strict guidelines and protocols to ensure the rest of our workforce and patients remain safe,” Kenneth Harvey, communications specialist for Altru, said in a statement to the Herald.
2. NCHC does not plan on selling tickets to the Pod, but hopes to spice things up anyway
The stands in Omaha's Baxter Arena will be mostly empty when the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Pod begins Dec. 1.
NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton said Wednesday, Nov. 11, that the league does not intend to sell tickets to the general public for the event, which will feature all eight member schools playing a combined 40 games in 20 days.
3. ‘Tip of the iceberg’: East Grand Forks OKs $421,000 worth of COVID business relief
East Grand Forks leaders voted Tuesday, Nov. 10, to hand out $421,000 to area businesses that have been hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic -- a figure that’s at best a quarter of the estimated need.
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Council members voted 5-0 to approve a second round of relief for 36 businesses in the city. That money aims to reimburse those firms for the cost of additional protective equipment for employees and other early-pandemic expenses, offset a third of the revenue they’ve lost as the economy struggles, or both.
4. Delayed test results keep Mayville State online-only through end of week
Mayville State will continue with online only education for the rest of the week due to a delay in the results of last week’s coronavirus testing event.
Online course delivery and remote working arrangements for nonessential staff will continue on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13, at the campus, President Brian Van Horn said in a message to campus on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Essential staff will continue on-campus work.
5. Grand Forks preparing its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
Grand Forks public health officials prepare a distribution plan for the first phase of COVID-19 vaccines once it is shipped and approved.
The first phase will be given to the northern valley's health care workers, similar to what other states have planned. Long-term care facility residents and public safety workers would be next in line, followed by other essential workers.
