×

Rising numbers impact law enforcement

The impact of COVID-19 is being felt by the Minot Police Department.

Police Chief John Klug told the Minot City Council Tuesday that 15 employees were out with the virus that day, which included 17% of civilian staff and 12% of sworn officers.

“The important part to know here is that we were already facing some shortages, and this brought our sworn staff overall down to 71% and our effective strength for our patrol division down to 64%. We’ve been able to manage that. We haven’t gone below any minimums,” Klug said. “We’re still managing, taking calls for service, responding to the community needs – just having to pay overtime, having to shift some people around, but we’ve been able to maintain service to the community.”

The department is authorized for 83 sworn officer positions. It had eight vacancies earlier this month.

First District Health Unit reported 689 active COVID-19 cases Tuesday in its seven-county area, up from 165 active cases at this time a year ago. That number increased to 764 on Wednesday.

There were 562 active cases Tuesday in Ward County, up from 130 cases a year ago. That number shot up to 622 on Wednesday, with 250 new cases added.

Trinity Health reported 25 COVID-19 patients on Wednesday morning, with five in intensive care. The intensive care unit currently is at capacity with COVID and non-COVID patients.

Roxanne Vendsel, director of nursing at First District, told the council that the high number of cases is affecting healthcare services, emergency response and businesses that are challenged with staffing issues. Long-term care also has been affected, with 15 staff and seven residents testing positive in Ward County.

First District increased its testing capacity to 300 tests a day and requested assistance from the state to offer Saturday and holiday testing. Last Saturday, there were 327 PCR tests and 356 rapid tests given, with 118 positives for a 33% positive rate, Vendsel said.

She outlined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols if testing positive or becoming a close contact. The standard anyone who tests positive is to be quarantined for five days and if symptoms are gone or resolving, wear a mask around others for another five days.

A fully vaccinated and boosted person who is a close contact should wear a mask for 10 days and test after five days, or earlier if symptoms develop.

An unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated or boosted person should stay home for five days and wear a mask around people another five days, testing at day five, or earlier if symptoms develop.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today