Starting today (Wednesday) masks will be optional for visitors and staff within most Grand Forks County buildings.
The commission has amended the mask mandate in light of falling COVID numbers and growing concerns among department heads. County Administrator Tom Ford says low compliance rates are starting to impact employee morale. “There is a hesitation among a lot of staff to approach individuals not wearing masks because of our current political cloud surrounding COVID and masks – it’s been quite touchy.”
Ford says he polled department heads and most were in favor of making the mask requirement optional or recommended. The policy for Human Services and the Correctional Center will be left up to department heads.
Meanwhile….health officials told board members that case counts continue to rapidly decline. The department’s Michael Dulitz says at last check Altru Hospital was only treating three positive COVID patients. “Our case rate continues to decline in Grand Forks County…something that has been a pleasant development.”
Dulitz says Grand Forks County has identified over 22,000 positive cases since the start of the pandemic.
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