Vaccinations for child-care workers and educators could be available in Ward County as early as next week, according to First District Health Unit.

Lisa Clute, executive director at First District, spoke to the Minot City Council Monday to provide an update on the vaccination process. The upcoming move to the next priority category of child-care and schools follows efforts to vaccinate older individuals and people with two or more health conditions.

Clute reported that, to date, 69.3% of Ward County residents ages 75 and older have been vaccinated, along with 56.7% of people ages 65 to 75.

In Ward County, 16.7% of residents have had at least a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 9.8% have had their second doses.

“We have had in Ward County 15,221 doses given. That does not include the base,” Clute said. “I think it will not be long before we have actually more vaccine than what we have people with arms to vaccinate at the rate we’re going.”

She also reported about 6,900 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are slated to be distributed within North Dakota. Those vaccines will go to pharmacies.

Clute added that Ward County has a rolling 14-day average positivity rate for COVID-19 of 3.3%, while First District as a seven-county area is at 3.9%. North Dakota overall is at 2.3%. The goal is to remain below 5%, and Clute noted some counties within First District are hitting that percentage.

“This is not over,” Clute said “We are seeing clusters. It doesn’t meant that we stop life as we want it, but it does mean that it’s important to practice these mitigation strategies while we’re enjoying the events and the activities that we want to do.”