One Year Ago: US Begins COVID Battle
It was one year ago today that the United States confirmed its first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus. Since then, life as we once knew it has changed dramatically as we’ve struggled to adjust to ever-changing “norms” and move past the tragedy COVID-19 has continued to bring us. Looking back at the nation’s battle with the virus, each state has had and continues its own battle with the novel coronavirus. North Dakota experienced a slow start to the pandemic’s spread, but even small Midwest locales weren’t immune from this new opponent. Here, we look back on COVID’s arrival in the US, its presence in ND and the state’s journey through scary unknowns.
COVID Comes to US
Less than a month after China reported the pandemic ravaging Wuhan, the first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus in the United States was confirmed in Washington state. Chinese officials first reported the existence of the virus on December 31, 2019. The man who became the first case of COVID-19 in the US had returned home to the Seattle area from Wuhan on January 15 and checked into a clinic after he saw news reports about the virus. By January 21, the 35-year-old was experiencing cough, fever, nausea and vomiting. That same day, the Centers for Disease Control announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was admitted to the hospital, where his symptoms became more severe and he developed pneumonia. After his case was confirmed, the Seattle area became the first hotspot in the US outbreak. The 14 cases confirmed by public health agencies between January 21 and February 23, 2020, were all patients who had traveled to China. The first non-travel COVID case was reported on February 29, and the country began to see it quickly spread.
March 11 1 (cumulative) case
ND saw its first positive case: an individual in Ward County. Four days later, Governor Doug
From 1
Burgum signed an executive order closing K-12 schools for what was at first intended to be a week, but turned out to carry on through the end of the school year.
March 19 – 19 cases
Burgum signed another executive order closing restaurants and bars to one-site patrons, closing gyms, theaters, and other venues, and stated that K-12 schools would remain closed “until further notice.” Districts began planning to educate students “in the event of an extended COVID-19 pandemic,” and the governor asked that districts submit their plans for resuming instruction via alternative methods by March 27, to be implemented by April 1. At that time, ND had tested almost 700 people and had confirmed 19 cases of COVID-19. During the March 19 state press briefing, Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson spoke about how the district had already been working on plans for alternative schooling. March 22 – 30 cases The state’s total number of cases reached 30, and Governor Burgum asked ND residents to remain vigilant to slow the virus’ spread in the state. He also gave information about the state’s increased contact tracing efforts, hoping that identifying close contacts of confirmed positive patients could be notified and isolated quickly.
March 27 – 68 cases, 1 death
State officials reported the first confirmed death of a resident due to COVID-19.
March 31 – 126 cases, 3 deaths
Governor Brugum announced the activation of the state’s Workforce Coordination Center (WCC) to help support health care providers and those in other industries and agencies affected by the pandemic. Those with experience in health care, law enforcement, child care, news media, energy, critical manufacturing, agriculture and a few other industries were asked to consider volunteering to help.
April 6 – 225 cases, 4 deaths
The governor signed two executive orders, one requiring COVIDpositive individuals and household members of infected individuals to isolate for 14 days in their home, and the other limiting visitation at nursing homes and other long term care facilities. The next day, the state launched the Care19 app.
April 14 – 331 cases, 9 deaths
The state finalized its hospital surge plan. Governor Burgum and Chief Operating Officer Tammy Miller outlined the plan during the daily press briefing, “expressing confidence that the state has the hospital capacity it needs to handle a surge in COVID-19 patients if one should occur.”
April 18 – 528 cases, 9 deaths
Governor Burgum reported that a rapid response team had conducted testing at the LM Wind Power manufacturing plant in Grand Forks. The response team began testing employees and their close contacts the day after 8 employees tested positive for COVID-19, and had found a total of 110 confirmed cases in employees and their close contacts. LM closed its facility immediately after the first employees tested positive and remained closed for two weeks to allow for disinfection and for employees to quarantine.
April 22 – 679 cases, 14 deaths
The Department of Health added nine lab professionals at their State Lab to help achieve the goal of expanding