After Quiet Christmas, COVID Cases Rise In North Dakota
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The rate of positive tests for COVID-19 in North Dakota rose to nearly 13% in the last day after hovering between about 3% and 5% during the Christmas holiday, state health officials said Tuesday.
The update showed 294 new cases of the coronavirus, out of a total of 1,530 examinations. A total of 91,829 people have tested positive since the start of the pandemic.
The COVID Tracking Project reports that the rolling average number of daily new cases in North Dakota over the past two weeks has decreased by nearly 70 percent. The state ranks 46th in the nation for the number of new cases per capita in that span.
Six new deaths were confirmed in the last 24 hours, lifting the total number of fatalities to 1,276. The death count is fourth highest per capita nationwide at 167 deaths per 100,000 people, according to project data posted Monday.
State officials said hospitalizations rose by seven, to 115.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
(© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
