North Dakota, a state in the United States of America, has recorded the highest Covid-19 mortality rate in the world.

Mortality rate more than other countries in the world

The death toll hit 769 as of Tuesday, Nov. 17, North Dakota's Department of Health reported.

COVID-19 Daily Report, Nov. 17:
• 15.9% rolling 14-day positivity
• 1,091 new positives
• 7,989 susceptible test encounters
• 304 currently hospitalized (⬇️ 28)
• 10,022 active cases (⬇️ 878)
• 769 total deaths (⬆️ 26)

More detailed information: https://t.co/VX8DqbayoW pic.twitter.com/kDpnO94URN

— ND Health and Human Services (@hhsndgov) November 17, 2020

As there are roughly 762,062 residents in North Dakota, according to a 2019 census, this means there is about one death for every 1,000 residents, making the state's Covid-19 mortality rate higher than other countries in the world.

North Dakota weekly deaths per capita versus every country on Earth: pic.twitter.com/w9Ztfg3GAS

— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) November 17, 2020

Governor: "Situation has changed"

As the pandemic in the state intensified, North Dakota's governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, made it mandatory on Friday night, Nov. 13, to wear masks or other face coverings -- becoming the 35th U.S. state to do so.

According to Reuters, Burgum, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, said the "situation has changed", and the state "must change with it".

He added: "We need individual responsibility now more than ever to slow the spread of Covid-19."

Burgum also mandated restaurants and bars to reduce their dining capacity by half and to close by 10pm.

Previously, he had opposed the wearing of masks and questioned the efficacy of mask-wearing as a protective measure against the spread of the virus, the Associated Press reported.

However, according to KFGO, at least three North Dakotan sheriffs have declared they will not enforce the governor's mandate.

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Top image via Getty Images