Seven in ten workers at Altru vaccinated

Altru says the request that employees take the shot to slow COVID is having an impact.

Earlier this month (August) the health care system announced it was requiring all workers to get vaccinated by November 15th.   Altru says employees can request an exemption for medical…religious…or philosophical reasons.

At last check over 70% of Altru staff have received at least one dose of the vaccine.  A spokesman says they expect that number to climb as the mid-November deadline nears.

Grand Forks Public Health Officer Joel Walz says with the return to school – the potential exists for an increase in cases especially among young people.  Walz says it could push the uncomfortable conversation of having to do more in the name of public health.

The North Dakota Health Department reported Grand Forks County had 2 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and six on Monday.   The active count stands at 154.