Health officials have announced the largest single-day increase in cases of the coronavirus in North Dakota. The Department of Health said Wednesday it has confirmed 24 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state’s total to 365. A Grand Forks wind turbine manufacturing facility halted production after an outbreak among employees there. LM Wind Power declined to say when or how many workers have tested positive. The company says it has temporarily halted production to disinfect and clean the facility that employs about 900 workers.
The Grand Forks Public Health Department and the City of Grand Forks announced a cluster of COVID-19 positive cases in employees at the LM Wind Power plant in Grand Forks. The plant is currently closed for deep cleaning and disinfecting. 
“The health and safety of Grand Forks residents is our number one priority,” said Debbie Swanson, director of the Grand Forks Public Health Department. “We’re working collaboratively with partners from Altru, the City of Grand Forks and LM Wind Power to address the clusters in Grand Forks with assistance from North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) and North Dakota National Guard.”
On Thursday (April 16), Grand Forks Public Health, with assistance from state partners, will conduct a private COVID-19 testing event for LM Wind Power plant employees and their close contacts who are pre-identified by the NDDoH. Only those who are contacted by Grand Forks Public Health or the North Dakota Department of Health should show up for testing.
While the number of positive cases of coronavirus continues to grow, basic prevention measures to slow community spread remain the same:
- practice physical distancing, stay 6 feet apart from others
- practice good hygiene; wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow
- disinfect frequently used items and surfaces
- stay home if you are sick and avoid others if they are sick
For questions related to COVID-19, the public can call the NDDoH hotline at 1-866-207-2880 from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., 7 days/week or Grand Forks Public Health at 701-787-8100, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Individuals experiencing a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, can call Altru’s 24/7 screening hotline at 701-780-6358, or call your healthcare provider prior to going to the healthcare facility.
For more information, visit www.grandforksgov.com/covid19 for additional resources.
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