Health officials confirm third case of COVID-19 in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has confirmed a third presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. The case is an Anoka County resident in their 30s who was likely exposed through contact with international travelers.   

The patient developed symptoms Feb. 28 and sought health care March 9. Samples were collected from the person and sent to the MDH Public Health Laboratory for testing March 9. The test was found positive earlier Tuesday. MDH is waiting confirmatory testing from CDC, but health officials consider the presumptive results actionable.

The patient is currently hospitalized in critical condition. MDH is working with Anoka County Public Health and health care partners to identify and contact all those who may have come in contact with the infected person. These people will be asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms.

Health officials again stressed the importance of all Minnesotans continuing to do those things that can limit the spread of the coronavirus:

Stay home and away from others if you are sick.

Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.

Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water.

Avoid touching your face throughout the day.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza is spread. It can also spread when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

MDH has set up a COVID-19 public hotline that is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline number is 651-201-3920.

ND Nonresident Any-Deer Bow Licenses

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department will have 780 any-deer bow licenses available to nonresidents in 2020.

Applicants can apply online beginning March 15 on the Game and Fish website, gf.nd.gov. The deadline for applying is April 15. 

Up to five hunters can apply together as a party. A lottery will be held if more applications are received than licenses available. A total of 1,209 people applied in 2019. 

The number of nonresident any-deer bow licenses available is 15 percent of the previous year’s mule deer gun license allocation.

Concordia holds annual juried student art Exhibition

MOORHEAD – Concordia College’s Annual Juried Student Exhibition opens Tuesday, March 17, and runs through Wednesday, April 1, in the Cyrus M. Running Gallery. A public reception will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the gallery. Awards are presented at 4:45 p.m.

The juried art exhibition showcases the diversity and creativity of Concordia College’s student artists. This year’s juror is Lucy Ganje, University of North Dakota professor emerita. Since 1988 she taught graphic design in both the School of Communication and the art department at UND. Ganje received her bachelor’s at Black Hills State University and her MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her research focuses on graphic design and the letterpress as a political tool.

The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. For more information call the art department at 218-299-4623.

Aerial survey shows moose population is stable

For the ninth year in a row, Minnesota’s moose population remains relatively stable, but reproductive success – one of the factors that has the greatest impact on moose survival over time – remains low.

This winter, the DNR estimated the moose population to be 3,150 animals (between a range of 2,400 and 4,320). Due to the variance in this type of annual population estimate, this year’s estimate does not suggest a decline from last year’s estimate of 4,180 moose. The survey provides an estimate rather than documenting the precise number of moose because biologists cannot see or count every moose across the 6,000-square mile survey area. They survey a portion of the moose range every year to generate the estimate.   

While the recent population stability is good news, DNR researchers point out that Minnesota moose remain at risk over the long term. The moose population has declined from an estimated 8,840 animals in 2006.

Low reproductive success and continued deaths from brainworm and other diseases make it difficult for Minnesota’s moose population to recover.

Both the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the 1854 Treaty Authority contributed funding and personnel for the annual survey. The survey is available on the DNR’s moose management page.

Spring Load Restrictions

NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE

The STARTING DATE for Spring Load Restrictions in Clay County for the NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE (north of US Highway 10) will be Friday, March 13, 2020 at 12:01 AM.  Please be advised that restrictions may stay in effect for up to 8 weeks. Ending dates will be published once they are known.

Book Sale Scheduled at Moorhead Library 

MOORHEAD – The Friends of the Moorhead Public Library have scheduled a sale of used books at the library. The sale will be held in the lower level of the Moorhead Public Library, 118 5th St. S. 

Books will be priced individually on Thursday, March 26 from 5-8 p.m. and Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with a $5 bag sale held Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Those who use a Friends of the Moorhead Library tote bag will receive a discounted price of $4 per bag during the bag sale on Saturday.

All proceeds will be used to support the library.

Moorhead Ice Show scheduled 

MOORHEAD – Moorhead Parks and Recreation is hosting the annual Moorhead Ice Show to this year’s theme, “An Evening with the Stars.” Join the fun as area Learn to Skate and Advanced Skaters highlight their talents to various songs related to the bright lights at the Moorhead Sports Center at 7:00 PM March 27 – 29. 

Aleksei Krasnovhon, a nationally ranked guest skater, will also showcase a special performance. Aleksei was a 2020 U.S. Championship Top Ten, 2017 Junior Grand Prix Final Champion, and 2017 U.S. National Junior Champion.

Purchase your tickets in advance at the Moorhead Parks and Recreation office during regular business hours (8:00 am-4:00 pm). Tickets will be available at the door beginning 1½ hours before the show.

National Book Awards at Concordia Postponed

MOORHEAD – The National Book Awards at Concordia, previously scheduled for March 12 and 13, is being rescheduled for a later date.

The National Book Foundation has restricted travel for its authors out of concern for possible spread of the coronavirus.  

Eight Fargo Businesses fail Alcohol Compliance Checks

FARGO – Alcohol compliance checks were recently performed in Fargo on February 18 and 26. In total, 41 businesses were checked and 33 passed, resulting in an 80% compliance rate. 

Fargo businesses that failed were: 

Crooked Pint – 3340 13th Avenue South 

Drumconrath Brewing Company – 630 1st Avenue North, Suite 6 

Fargo Hu Hot – 1801 45th Street South 

Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop – 1621 45th Street Southwest 

Herd and Horns – 1414 12th Avenue North, Unit F 

Marlin’s Family Restaurant  – 3520 12th Avenue North 

O’Kelly’s – 3800 Main Avenue 

Osaka Sushi & Hibachi – 1111 38th Street South