BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota reported 936 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday as the number of active cases and hospitalizations inched down from record highs.
The North Dakota Department of Health reported 6,310 active cases statewide, which is a decrease from the record of 6,363 set Friday. The number of hospitalizations decreased by two people from Friday, with 166 currently hospitalized. However, health officials reported 8 deaths. They were all over the age of 60.
The state has seen the nation’s highest number of new cases per capita over the last two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins researchers. There were about 1,303 new cases per 100,000 people.
Still, Gov. Doug Burgum has defended his handling of the pandemic and decision not to issue any statewide mask mandates.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Grand Forks has issued an emergency order requiring people to wear masks in city-owned buildings and busses ahead of early voting beginning on Monday.
Mayor Brandon Bochenski said he issued the order in an effort to prevent coronavirus infections as city buildings fill with voters.
“With COVID-19, it has always been my priority to be targeted in my approach and to protect our community’s most vulnerable populations,” Bochenski said.
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