In an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte signed a confinement order on Saturday, March 28, 2020, directing individuals to quarantine for 14 days if traveling back to North Dakota from all international locations and states in the U.S. classified as having widespread disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The updated list of states can be found on the North Dakota Department (NDDoH) website at www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/travel-quarantine-orders.
Additionally, any individual or returning resident (‘snowbirds’, spring-breakers, etc.) arriving in North Dakota from out-of-state is recommended to self-quarantine for a period of two weeks. All individuals affected by either the confinement order or self-quarantine recommendation are encouraged to complete the travel survey found on the NDDoH website to receive information on how to monitor for symptoms.
Fargo Cass Public Health Director Desi Fleming says, “We know coronavirus is highly contagious and spreading in our community. We need to become even more vigilant and deliberate in our actions of prevention strategies and social distancing to slow the spread. That is why we encourage anyone traveling to North Dakota to take these extra precautions to better safeguard themselves and our local community.”
Self-quarantine involves staying at home, not having visitors and staying at least 6 feet away from others in the same household, washing hands frequently, practicing good hygiene, and not sharing household items like towels or utensils.
While COVID-19 testing is on-going and the number of positive cases in N.D. continues to increase, the basic prevention measures have not changed:
- Practice good hygiene by thoroughly washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use 60% hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your face.
- If you are not feeling well and have fever or respiratory symptoms, stay at home. Contact your healthcare provider if you need guidance on whether to seek medical care, or use the newly released North Dakota Department of Health COVID-19 Risk Assessment Survey.
- Avoid people who appear to be sick.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Follow guidelines for social distancing by avoiding groups of more than 10 people, and staying close to home if you are a non-essential worker. Also avoid unnecessary shopping, travel and other outings.
