North Dakota reports first deaths due to COVID-19 in four days

January 13, 2021

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota health officials reported their first deaths due to the coronavirus in four days, with three fatalities confirmed in Tuesday’s update.

A total of 1,355 people have died since the start of the pandemic. Data compiled Monday by The COVID Tracking Project showed that North Dakota’s death toll dropped from sixth to seventh highest per capita at about 178 deaths per 100,000 people.

Officials said 248 people tested positive out of about 6,100 tests in the last day, a positivity rate of 4.62%. That increased the number of total cases to 94,968. Hospitalizations dropped by four, to 70.

North Dakota’s COVID-19 vaccine update released Tuesday showed that the state had administered 41,288 does out of the 52,525 doses that had been received as of Sunday. Health officials did not immediately respond to requests for comments about the vaccinations.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.