North Dakota continues low rates of positive COVID-19 tests

N.D.— North Dakota health officials on Thursday reported another day of low rates of positive COVID-19 tests, deaths and hospitalizations.

The update showed 147 positive tests in the last day, increasing the total number of cases to 97,305 since the start of the pandemic. The positivity rate came out at 2.58% after about 6,600 tests were processed in the last 24 hours.

Data compiled Wednesday by The COVID Tracking Project shows that the rolling average number of daily new cases over the past two weeks has decreased of 28%.

Officials reported two new deaths due to the coronavirus, a man in his 70s from Emmons County and a man in his 80s from Cass County. The total number of fatalities stands at 1,417.

Hospitalizations remained unchanged at 49. The state’s hospital tracker lists 38 staffed intensive care beds and 399 staffed inpatient beds available across North Dakota.

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.