FARGO, N.D. – Higher vaccination rates with positive end results are leading to a major decision in the state of North Dakota. Governor Doug Burgum is lifting North Dakota’s COVID-19 emergency declaration today.
The decision for the emergency declaration was made almost 15 months ago on March 13th, 2020. This was the same day that former President Donald Trump declared a national emergency. It was also two days after North Dakota received its very first case of COVID-19.
Dr. Richard Vetter, Essentia’s Chief Medical Officer, stated that this decision had to be made eventually. The pandemic will continue to be a long-term issue until there are more vaccinations. Dr. Vetter also stating that this is the first pandemic in a very long time and the healthcare system continues to change.
The world’s healthcare systems coming together to create and administer vaccinations was a win during this pandemic. The biggest worry came from the month of November where the COVID-19 cases surged at its highest. One month later in December, the first round of vaccines was available for the elderly group, the highest risk population.
Dr. Vetter says that better education of the vaccine is a life-saving measure for protection against this disease.
“Better educating the public around public health measures is essential,” said Dr. Vetter. “I think it’s probably become a little bit more politicized than it could of or should have been. People don’t understand health measures the same as they would look at their own personal health.”
The next step is finding a vaccine option for people under the age of 16 and getting the 20 to 30 age group vaccinated. Hospitalizations remain on the low end and in many cases, no deaths reported. Just a few months ago, North Dakota had the worst-case rate in the nation.
The vaccine continues to be the only line of protection against the disease. If you are over the age of 16, you can qualify to get the vaccine at any hospital or clinic offering it.
