Jill Schramm/MDN Lisa Clute with First District Health Unit speaks at a news conference as Mari Don Sorum, right, interprets with sign language.

Although waiting on the governor’s guidance, Minot is ready to gradually open its economy and city government access, Mayor Shaun Sipma said at a weekly news briefing Tuesday.

Trinity Health also is moving toward eventually restoring surgeries and other procedures placed on hold due to COVID-19.

“Whether you need a test, whether you want an outpatient procedure, whether you want a telehealth visit or in-person visit with a provider or, as of next week, whether you are in need of some kind of an outpatient surgery, Trinity Health has the right space, the place and people to get that done,” said Randy Schwan, a Trinity vice president.

However, Schwan said it is still too early to drop visitor restrictions at Trinity facilities, and people who do come for appointments are required to wear masks. Trinity has not yet brought back any of its approximately 350 furloughed employees, although it is staffing a new clinic site dedicated to respiratory patients.

Sipma looks forward to seeing Minot businesses affected by state closure orders begin to re-open under the governor’s guidance.

“As we have from the beginning, we’re intending to and absolutely going to follow the governor’s lead on this and not – and I want to emphasize ‘not’ – extend any additional restrictions,” Sipma said. “I don’t want to diminish those 21, but with only 21 cases in Ward County, that tells me that many, if not most people, have taken this very seriously and have been doing what has been asked to further dampen any community spread. It also tells me that we’re ready to handle the opening up of our community, based on what the governor does announce.”

He described the process of re-opening as resembling the filling of a bathtub rather than flipping on a light switch.

“It is something that is going to be gradual. If we wish to avoid further shutdown or restrictions, continuing the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommendations at a responsible level will be critical,” he said.

Sipma said a city government task force has been drafting a return-to-work plan for staff who have had to adjust operations during the pandemic. Continued precautions are likely with first responders to avoid a surge in cases. A Minot police officer who had tested positive after experiencing symptoms March 26 has recovered and will return to work Monday.

A plan also is being developed to re-open city government buildings and meetings to the public. The public is likely to remain restricted to certain areas of city buildings, and chairs at meetings will be six feet apart, Sipma said.

Going forward, Trinity is eager to offer more COVID-19 testing, Schwan said.

The North Dakota Department of Health has relaxed testing eligibility to offer tests to anyone showing a single symptom of COVID-19, and people can get testing if their health providers feel it should be done. People also can call the state hotline to discuss any special circumstances and potentially obtain testing authorization.

People can call Trinity at 857-7817 to arrange for a test.

“If you’re going to have a procedure or surgery at Trinity Health, you’re probably going to get tested, and we’re moving faster towards being able to develop that specific test for that specific patient, so that we can proceed in a measured, safe, and cautious but effective way. That would not be a test that would be available for the general public at this time. So there’s a lot of work being done on antibody testing and on other kinds of testing that might result in a faster turnaround time,” Schwan said.

Lisa Clute, executive director at First District Health Unit, said there have been 2,366 tests done within the unit’s seven-county region, including 722 tests conducted this past week. Of those, 624 tests were conducted in Ward County. The last positive case in Ward County was on April 21.

Of the 28 cases in First District’s region, two of the three people affected in McLean County have recovered and 17 of the 21 in Ward County have recovered. Recovered is defined as at least seven days from symptom onset, fever-free for 72 hours without medication and respiratory symptoms are improving.

Schwan said coronavirus testing at Trinity Homes found no positive cases, but about 50 staff remain to be tested and a handful of residents whose results were inconclusive are being retested.

Clute said antibody tests at this point haven’t been reliable in proving immunity. As more information becomes available on antibody testing in North Dakota, First District will make that public and be prepared to respond.

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Food pantries in need

Local food pantries are experiencing shortages and need the community’s help, Ward County Emergency Management Director Jennifer Wiechmann said at a news conference Tuesday.

Monetary and food donations are welcome, she said. The Minot Police Department has a drop station in its entry for donations to the Minot Public Schools pantry for students. Items such as granola bars, canned soup, peanut butter and easy macaroni and cheese are examples of quick meals and snacks needed by the school pantry.

There also is a local effort under way to recognize hometown heroes during this time, Wiechmann said. People can nominate a health care worker, first responder, volunteer or others making a contribution by contacting Visit Minot or the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce.