BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota set a near record Thursday for the number of daily positive coronavirus tests, and has increased its per-capita figures for the infection to the highest in the country.

The state Health Department’s update showed that 360 of the 12,629 tests in the past day came back positive, with Cass, Grand Forks, and Stark counties each reporting 60 or more positive cases. Of the 32 counties with positive tests, Grand Forks County led the way with 79.

The counties of Burleigh and Morton, which have been monitored in recent weeks by a special task force, combined for 43 new cases.

North Dakota recorded of high of 373 positive tests statewide on Aug.28

North Dakota now ranks first in the country in the number of new COVID-19 cases per capita in the last two weeks, according to figures from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

Data show Stark, Golden Valley and Grand Forks counties rank among the top 30 counties within the nation for the most new cases per capita in the past two weeks.

The state also confirmed two more deaths Thursday, bringing the statewide death toll to 150 since the pandemic began.

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Source: AP News