Health officials report strong interest in the COVID vaccine among residents in Grand Forks County. Public Health Director Deb Swanson says not only is the department receiving plenty of calls from the public inquiring about shots - but Altru Health is also receiving strong interest. "We are getting vaccine administered as soon as we receive it. Grand Forks Public Health has not had any vaccine awaiting administration for more than 48 hours from when we receive it."

Residents can contact the COVID hotline at 701.780.6358 to be included on a vaccine waitlist.

The North Dakota Health Department reports 41,288 doses of the vaccine have already been dispensed. The state’s dashboard says 4,209 of those have occurred in Grand Forks County.

Grand Forks County is now transitioning to Phase 1B for vaccinations.

Phase 1B includes individuals age 75 and older. Other priority groups include:

●Persons age 65 – 74 with two or more high-risk medical conditi

●Staff and persons living in other congregate settings

●Persons age 65 and older with one or more high-risk medical conditions

●Persons age 65 and older with or without high-risk medical conditions

●Persons with two or more high-risk medical conditions* regardless of age

●Childcare workers

●Workers employed by preschools or Kindergarten through 12th grade: