Hospitals in North Dakota are struggling to deal with a surge of new patients as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the state. There were 10,865 active cases as of Monday (November 9) with 254 patients currently hospitalized. Over the past six days, the state has set new records for daily cases, with nearly 2,300 new infections reported during that time. Every county in the state is now considered high-risk for COVID-19.
To help alleviate staffing concerns at the overwhelmed hospitals, state health officials announced drastic new measures. Governor Doug Burgum said that nurses who have tested positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic can continue to work. He said the request came from hospital administrators and promised that they would take precautions to limit the spread.
Under the amended order, the nurses will “completely isolated” from other staff members. They would have to enter the hospital through a seperate door and would only treat patients who have COVID-19.
“We’re confident it can (work) under the narrow restrictions that we have,” Burgum said.
Burgum also said that state will be using federal coronavirus funds to hire new EMS personnel, allowing them to free up nurses and doctors to work in the hospitals.
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