BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Wednesday that two new cases of the coronavirus show evidence of community transmission and businesses like bars, restaurants, theaters and gyms should consider a temporary shutdown.
Community spread is people testing positive even though they hadn’t traveled to areas with a high concentration of the virus or had knowingly been in contact with someone who has it. The previous patients all had contact with people in other states or countries.
Burgum declined to issue a mandatory closure order but asked that business owners make “smart decisions.” He said local leaders have a better handle on whether businesses are practicing social distancing and should be shuttered if they’re unsafe.
“Many people are asking us to make the decision,” Burgum said. “We’re asking local leaders to step up and figure out a plan on how to do this.”
Burgum said his team will evaluate closures on a day-by-day basis, especially if there’s more cases of community spread or evidence that business owners are not acting responsibly.
Many retail stores have either closed or cut back their hours. Only a handful of stores were open Wednesday at the West Acres Mall in Fargo, but business was slow, said Shirt Shop owner Jennifer Pepple.
“I’m going to stay open as long as I can,” Pepple said. “We’re a family-owned business and most of our other employees have found other jobs.”
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The latest two COVID-19 cases were both in Morton County, including one teenager and one woman in her 30s. It brings that total number of cases in the state to seven. The other ones are in Burleigh, Cass and Ward counties.
The state Department of Health said as of Wednesday evening that 362 people had been tested for the virus, with 355 coming back negative and seven positive. There have been no deaths
The department noted that it has been hampered by a shortage of swabs and was working with other health partners to fill that void. South Dakota officials on Wednesday suspended testing because it was waiting on a shipment of enzymes and reagents. Burgum said he talked with South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem Wednesday on ways the two states could help each other.
K-12 public schools are closed at least through the end of the week. Burgum officials will likely decide Wednesday on whether to extend that shutdown.
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