North Dakota reports 18 virus deaths from 2 days

N.D. — North Dakota on Saturday reported 18 deaths from COVID-19 over a two-day reporting period, along with 127 people who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

The state has seen virus infections steadily slow, with the average number of cases reported daily decreasing by nearly 34% over the last two weeks. However, its rate of deaths per capita rose to the fourth-highest in the country after a wave of cases in November.

The new deaths reported bring the state’s death toll to 1,310 people over the course of the pandemic.

The Department of Health reported that over half of the vaccine doses the state has received have been administered, with roughly 13,000 people receiving the first round of a vaccine. Medical workers and long-term care residents are currently being prioritized.