Despite record high positive cases of the new coronavirus in the state, which is now one of the hot spots in the nation, Gov. Doug Burgum said Friday he would not immediately change risk levels for counties.

Ward County, with 623 active cases of coronavirus as of Friday and 28 deaths due to coronavirus since the pandemic began, remains at a moderate risk level this week. However, Burgum said he might announce changes to county risk levels next Thursday, when he is scheduled to give his next statewide talk.

Burgum announced what he called his “Thanksgiving challenge” to counties and cities across the state to lower positive cases of the coronavirus by Thanksgiving and to ensure that schools and businesses can remain open and that families might be able to visit over the holidays.

Burgum also said surrounding states have also seen increased positivity rates and increased deaths and hospitalizations and North Dakota has done better than many of its neighbors. He also said the state has been doing more testing of its population.

Burgum once again emphasized the need for people in the state to exercise “individual responsibility” and said people need to do better about following health guidelines like social distancing, wearing masks, practicing hygiene, and avoiding crowds and hosting large gatherings.

Under changes to state guidelines that Burgum had announced last week, businesses in counties at moderate risk level are advised to reduce capacity to 50 percent, or no more than 100 people in a business at a time, and to encourage mandatory mask wearing. Dance floors and gaming at bars are recommended to be closed. In counties in the high risk category, businesses are encouraged to reduce capacity to 25 percent and allow no more than 50 people at a time at large events. Food service businesses are encouraged to move toward take out service, delivery, and curb side pickup and to require masks.

More information about county risk levels and guidelines can be found at ndresponse.gov