North Dakota leads nation in per capita cases
FILE - In this May 2020 photo provided by Eli Lilly, a researcher tests possible COVID-19 antibodies in a laboratory in Indianapolis. Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection occurs; they attach to a virus and help it be eliminated.[David Morrison/Eli Lilly via AP]
North Dakota leads the nation with 978 new cases of coronavirus per capita in the last two weeks, according to the COVID Tracking project, which reports cases per 100,000 people. Health officials confirmed 877 new cases and 18 more deaths on Friday.
The surge in cases and deaths statewide resulted in Republican Gov. Doug Burgum raising the coronavirus risk level in several North Dakota counties this week. However, he issued no mandated restrictions and mask use is voluntary.
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The deaths reported Friday include 10 women and eight men, all in their 60s or older. All had underlying health conditions.
North Dakota, with a population of fewer than 800,000, has 30,000 confirmed cases and 388 deaths.