City of Grand Forks’ Mayor, Dr. Michael R. Brown, and Altru’s President Dr. Steven Weiser are urging the residents of Grand Forks to strictly follow recommendations to stay home, physically distance, and practice other simple steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.
On Wednesday, April 15, a hotspot of positive COVID-19 cases were 
identified with ties to a Grand Forks workplace, LM Wind Power. This announcement comes with a significant increase in cases in Grand Forks, and through a mass testing event being led by the state, the possibility of many more to come. 424 tests were taken at the mass testing site between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. in Grand Forks on Thursday.
“The number of positive cases of COVID-19 has significantly increased in our community,” warns Mayor Brown. “If we don’t continue practicing basic prevention measures to slow community spread, we could overwhelm our healthcare system. The responsibility to ensure that does not happen falls on each and every one of us.”
The recommendations, which continue to evolve as we understand the impact of COVID-19 currently include the following:
- Practice physical distancing
- Practice good hygiene;
- wash your hands for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces.
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wear a face covering when in public
“These are simple steps you can take to prevent serious illness and an overwhelming impact on our community,” urges Dr. Weiser. “While we’ve spent endless hours planning and preparing for a spread in our community, the potential impact we now face has the ability to overwhelm our healthcare workers and our system. The healthcare workers in your community need your partnership to keep them safe and to keep them working, so they can care for you.”
Community members who feel that they are at risk for COVID-19 due to related symptoms, travel or close contact with someone who has tested positive are encouraged to call Altru’s 24/7 Screening Hotline at 701.780.6358. You can learn more about the symptoms, risks and our state’s guidance on COVID-19 on the North Dakota Department of Health website.
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