BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed two more cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in residents from Cass and Ward counties.

The individual from Cass County has a history of international travel; the public health investigation continues in both cases. So far in North Dakota, 223 individuals have been tested, 220 were negative and 3 are positive.

The individual who tested positive for COVID-19 from Cass County is a woman in her 20s and the individual from Ward County is a man in his 60s.

The first case of COVID-19 in North Dakota is a man also in his 60s from Ward County.

“We anticipate there will be additional North Dakotans who test positive for COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks, we urge residents to prepare, not panic, and to follow social distancing recommendations,” said State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte. “Take steps such as ensuring you have materials on hand to self-isolate for two weeks or explore whether there are options to telecommute. Individuals should follow the presidential guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

For questions related to COVID-19, the public can call the NDDoH health hotline at 1-866-207-2880 daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Individuals who need medical advice should contact their health care provider.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus , follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Postponements,

cancellations, other

announcements

® Trinity Homes, Minot, in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the North Dakota Department of Health, is updating its visitor restrictions.

Visitation continues to be limited to residents receiving hospice/end-of-life care. However, visitation will be limited to immediate family members only. No other visitors will be allowed at this time.

No visitors under the age of 18 will be permitted, and no pets will be permitted.

All visitors must wear a mask at all times, perform frequent hand hygiene, and restrict visitation to their family member’s room. If visitors are unable to meet these guidelines, they will not be permitted to enter.

Social distancing should be practiced, including keeping a distance of at least six feet apart, no hugging, hand shaking, or contact with residents.

® The Men’s Pancake Supper at English Lutheran Church, Maxbass, has been postponed until further notice. It was scheduled for Sunday, March 22.

® The Minot Vet Center’s annual Vietnam Veterans Day event set for Sunday, March 29, at the Grand Hotel, Minot, has been postponed to a future date.

® The Pheasants For The Future banquet has been postponed until 2021. For more information participants can visit the organization’s Facebook or website at pftf.org. The event was scheduled for Friday, March 20.

® A ND Cares suicide prevention presentation scheduled for April 8 at the Ward County Administration Building in Minot has been canceled.

® The Ward County Historical Society’s Roaring ’20s Gala scheduled for May 2 has been canceled. It may be rescheduled at a later time. Those who have already purchased a ticket can hold onto it for a future date, have their money refunded or donate the money to the Historical Society.

® The Pursuit church in Minot is postponing all physical services but there will be live streaming to their website and Facebook.

® The AARP Smart Driver Course has been canceled. The course was to take place in Berthold, Minot and Kenmare. For more information contact Bonita Frederick at 440-8511.

® Minot Public Schools’ March board meeting has been postponed until Thursday, March 26.

® Minot State University has canceled or postponed large-scale, on-campus events effective immediately through April 6. Individual events beyond the April 6 date will make a determination to change their schedule on a per-event basis.

In addition, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced the suspension of all athletic activities for each of its 16-member institutions, of which Minot State is a member, on March 12. Cancellations are listed below with postponed dates in parentheses:

March 17-20: Campus Visits

March 19-20: HOSA 2020 Spring Leadership Conference

March 19-20: Sodexo dining services, regular hours will resume March 23

March 20: Kids Day at the Wellness Center

March 24-25: 31st annual Spring Honor Dane & Powwow Celebration

March 24 & 26: Conversations with Colleagues

March 25-26: Student Government Association elections (postponed, date TBA)

March 27: NSSHLA Conference (postponed until Oct. 2)

March 27: Spring Fashion Show (postponed, date TBA)

March 30: Occupational Wellbeing: Financial Wellness (postponed until April, date TBA)

March 31-April 1: MSU Career Fairs

April 4: Preview Day

April 7: No Excuse for Abuse Red Run

April 23: Take Back the Night

MSU will update future changes to its schedule on its COVID-19 WEBSITE.

® The Honoring Those Who Served-Ministry breakfast group’s Medal of Honor memorial ceremony at Edgewood Vista, Minot, on March 24 has been canceled.

® Salute to Seniors set for May 12 in Minot has been canceled.

® Honors Banquet, a Minot Area Chamber of Commerce event scheduled for April 8, has been canceled.

® All State Historical Society of North Dakota museums and historic sites are open during regular business hours. Effective as of Monday, March 16, the State Museum, Bismarck, closed some interactive exhibit areas to help ensure public health and safety. Touch screens, kiosks, The Treehouse exhibit for children, the dinosaur game touch screen, the interactive tractor, and more will be closed until further notice for health precautions. All public programs and events sponsored by the N.D. Heritage Center & State Museum are canceled through May 3. Private rentals of ND Heritage Center spaces of less than 10 people may still take place at this time. Larger events will be canceled. The event coordinator should be contacted for rescheduling and/or refunds.

® The Lignite Energy Council (LEC) has canceled its 47th annual meeting on April 15-16. Due to the cancellation, LEC will extend its fall meeting to two days: Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. At that time, LEC will provide speakers addressing many of the topics that would have been covered in April. Members who had already submitted registrations, sponsorships or exhibitor fees will have their money refunded via the method payments were made when possible. If a credit card expired or payment was made more than two months ago, a check will need to be issued. Emails for election of LEC board of directors will be sent out in April with voting closing on Tuesday, April 14. Winning seats will be announced that week.

® Public meetings that were scheduled for two phases of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project have been postponed, the Souris River Joint Board announced. Information on rescheduled dates will be communicated at a later time. The postponed meetings are the Velva Bridge replacement public meeting set for March 23 and the Mouse River Park Bridge replacement public meeting set for March 24.