When: Thursday, 9 a.m. Where: Ward County Administration Building, commission chambers Agenda: The commission will discuss a van for veterans transportati
When: Tuesday, 9 a.m. Where: Ward County Administration Building, commission chambers Agenda: The commission will consider a rezoning request for a condo
An alternative youth facility will be opening in Ward County to address an ongoing need for shelter care. The Ward County Commission voted Tuesday to spend ab
Ward County employees will have two options for COVID-19 antibody testing at no personal cost.
The Ward County Commission on Tuesday gave approval to a June blood drive and to using federal CARES Act dollars to cover the $70 cost for employees who wish to receive antibody testing at Trinity Health.
Vitalant, the local blood services provider, continues to offer free antibody testing to its blood donors. Antibodies develop following an infection, and components from blood found to be positive for antibodies are sometimes used in COVID-19 treatment.
Human Resources Director Tammy Terras explained the testing will guide employee decision making regarding when to get a rapid COVID-19 screening test, when to quarantine and whether to get the vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people who test positive for antibodies still quarantine after virus exposure, she said.
Ward County commissioners are moving toward making COVID-19 antibody testing available to county residents.
Commission Chairman John Fjeldahl began advocating for antibody testing two months ago when the commission approved providing rapid tests for county employees. He said he’s been frustrated by the lack of progress during that time. He and Ward County Emergency Manager Jennifer Wiechmann reported to the commission Tuesday on where things stand.
Fjeldahl said the state will provide test kits for free but will not process the tests. He said Trinity Health would be willing to train staff to do the processing, but the county also learned insurance will not cover the costs of processing because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the tests are no longer medically relevant in the age of the vaccines. That also means the antibody testing isn’t eligible for 75% cost sharing through the Federal Emergency Management Administration as a COVID-19 emergency exp