Fargo mayor issues plea to young adults to take social distancing seriously

FARGO, N.D.–As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in North Dakota’s Cass County, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney issued a plea to take social distancing seriously, in particular, younger people who make up the majority of the confirmed cases locally.

Mahoney said 55% of the positive tests in Cass County are those under the age of 40.

Fargo-Cass County Public Health Director Desi Fleming urged people to use universal precautions which means everybody is considered infectious even though their status is not known.

As of Wednesday, there were 147 positive cases of COVID-19 in North Dakota. There are 37 cases in Cass County.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said a major presidential disaster declaration has been approved as the number of COVID-19 cases in North Dakota continues to rise.

Burgum also extended closures Wednesday for many businesses by two weeks, until April 20. The order includes personal service and recreational businesses, along with restricting restaurants and bars to delivery and takeout service.

The disaster declaration by President Trump would unlock federal aid to help North Dakota pay for its response to the pandemic.