2 more cases of coronavirus in North Dakota, bringing total to 30
The new cases were found in a Burleigh County woman in her 30s and a Pierce County man in his 40s, who contracted the illness from someone who previously tested positive. A fourth patient has also been hospitalized with the illness. Read the full story here.
Highest one-day jump: 32 new cases reported in Minnesota
State health officials released new figures on Sunday, March 22, showing 32 new cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. It was the highest one-day jump since the 26 new cases reported Friday, bringing the new total statewide to 169, with one death. Read the full story here.
Interim UND President uses experience as a doctor, administrator to lead during pandemic
A physician as well as UND president, Wynne says "the people that haven’t gotten real need to get real right now. Not tomorrow, not in a week. Now.” Read the full story here.
Coronavirus spread prompts shifts in Grand Forks’ mayoral campaigns
As the coronavirus spreads across the United States and forces people to minimize face-to-face contact, a Grand Forks candidate for mayor has started to press the flesh online. Read the full story here.
North Dakota governor, others warn: Beware of disinformation related to coronavirus
Gov. Burgum pointed out a fake chart – one that appeared on social media in North Dakota – that was designed to spread fear about coronavirus and COVID-19. Read the full story here.
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Check here for latest coronavirus information about businesses in Greater Grand Forks, area
A full list of more than 170 businesses, as of noon on Friday, March 20. Read the full story here.
Altru beefs up hotline staff to handle sharp rise in calls, but delays exist locally, nationally
Jennifer Soper just wanted to be responsible and, like more than 1,000 people in Grand Forks in recent weeks, reached out for answers to her questions. But as health systems nationwide try to keep up with the sharp rise in calls, it's requiring patience to get the medical attention some callers seek. Read the full story here.
Coronavirus closes Grand Forks’ social detox facility
A public detox facility is temporarily closed to the public, city staff announced Saturday. Grand Forks Public Health’s Withdrawal Management Facility, commonly referred to as “social detox,” closed at noon on Saturday, March 21, in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the illness COVID-19 and is responsible for infections and deaths worldwide, plus increasingly dramatic efforts to halt it in the United States. Read the full story here.
Herald closing front doors during coronavirus outbreak, but will continue its regular print and online publishing
The Grand Forks Herald, starting Monday, will continue to print a daily edition but will close its doors to all walk-in traffic. Over the past week, the Herald was discouraging visitors and guests and urged all payments to be placed in the mail or to be paid by credit card. Read the full story here.
During the downtime, consider cooking with region's commodities, like beans, potatoes, flour
Home-cooked, locally grown food is no more than a recipe away, thanks to North Dakota and Minnesota farmers and processors. The two states are top producers of several commodities, including pulses, potatoes, dry beans and wheat. North Dakota, for example, in 2018, ranked No. 1 in the production of dry edible beans, wheat and was the No. 2 producer of lentils. Read the full story here.
UND moves remote for remainder of semester, cancels spring commencement
Joining nearly every institution in North Dakota’s higher education system, the state’s largest university will be conducting courses remotely for the rest of the semester. It will not have a commencement ceremony. Read the full story here.
Ann Bailey: During coronavirus pandemic, we must have faith in the journey
As I was driving to pick up my daughter, Ellen, from school shortly after the North Dakota High School Activities Association ordered high schools to stop holding spring sports and events because of coronavirus concerns, I was listening to President Donald Trump on the radio declaring a national state of emergency. Read the full story here.
Brad Dokken: Sunday Outdoors Calendar on hold until COVID-19 risk subsides and outdoors activities and events resume
Trails remain open for people to get outside and enjoy nature -- which I highly recommend -- but the best course of action for now is to keep those activities as solitary as possible and avoid getting too close to other people. Read the full story here.
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Sam Easter: Quiet airports, near-empty planes on way home from South Africa
Where were you when the world slammed shut? I was in South Africa with my father, standing in a hunting lodge and watching as that country’s president, Cyril Rhamaphosa, announced measures clamping down on travel and limiting gatherings larger than 100 people. Read the full story here.
Chuck Haga: Longing for our 'new normal'
My list for when normalcy returns? Hang out with the grandkids and play cribbage, hear about school and watch movies like "Wreck it Ralph." Read the full story here.
North Dakota pharmacy says it can make promising antiviral drug
A well-established anti-malarial drug is getting attention as a possible weapon against the coronavirus, and at least one local pharmacy says it's ready and willing to help make the medication if the need arises. Read the full story here.
Walmart hiring more than 500 in North Dakota
In response to strong demand in stores due to the coronavirus, Walmart plans to hire more than 150,000 associates through the end of May. In North Dakota, Walmart plans to hire more than 500 associates to work in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. Read the full story here.
Local cancellations/postponements due to coronavirus
These are announcements in our region related to the coronavirus. Read the list of announcements here.
Truckers feel quarantined in their vehicles during pandemic
President Donald Trump's expanded emergency declaration to grant an extension of hours for truck drivers delivering essentials during the coronavirus crisis is having an effect on drivers. Read the full story here.
Upper Midwest companies now eligible for federal small business disaster loans
Federal authorities will allow small businesses in the Upper Midwest to apply for disaster relief loans in hopes of cushioning the economic blow dealt to the state and nation by the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story here.
Mayo Clinic Labs ramp up for round-the-clock COVID-19 testing
Mayo Clinic Laboratories has expanded its COVID-19 testing capacity, so its Rochester facility is now working around the clock to conduct up to 3,000 tests a day for Mayo patients and patients at eight Minnesota health care centers. Read the full story here.
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Delivering meals and familiar faces: Minnesota tribal school feeds students despite closure
During a time of uncertainty, community banded together in Red Lake, delivering meals, familiar faces and a sense of normalcy to local students. The Red Lake School District, similarly to many other school districts facing coronavirus closures, is tackling the issue of getting meals to students, and keeping workers employed in one fell swoop -- school employees shifted into shipping and handling roles as 15 yellow school buses transported over 3,000 meals to Red Lake children Thursday, March 19. Read the full story here.
Spanish flu hit ND, Minnesota 'like a house on fire': Pandemic lessons from history
The wildfire spread of Spanish influenza that was sweeping Europe and much of the United States in 1918 still hadn’t struck North Dakota and Minnesota as September faded with shortening days. Read the full story here.
Read the full story here.
Businesses remain open in South Dakota as COVID-19 cases jump to 21
South Dakota officials confirmed seven more cases of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by coronavirus, increasing the state's total count to 21 as of Sunday, March 22 . Read the full story here.
