COVID-19 Cases as of October 21st, 2020. Photo: North Dakota Department of Health

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) reports one death and 11 new cases of COVID-19 in Stutsman County as of Wednesday, October 21st.

The man in his 80’s from Stutsman County died with underlying health conditions. The death total of those who died with COVID-19 is six. There are currently 112 active cases in Stutsman County.

Central Valley Health Director of Health Promotions Shannon Klatt states that they will begin relying on those who contract the coronavirus to undertake contact tracing themselves.

The decision comes from Governor Doug Burgum and NDDoH as they work to notify individuals more quickly of close contacts.

“North Dakota added 400 contact tracers and case investigators last summer to help quickly trace and quarantine close contacts, allowing contact tracing to continue long after many other states had to suspend their efforts,” the NDDoH stated. “However, a sharp increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks has put increased pressure on contact tracing teams at the state and local level, leading to tracing delays and a backlog of positive cases that have yet to be assigned to a case investigator.”

Klatt added that personal responsibility will be vital to ensure those who may have had close contact with COVID-19 to be informed so they can take steps to stop the spread.

For more information, contact Central Valley Health at centralvalleyhealth.org or like them on Facebook.