RAPID CITY, SD – A second COVID-19 cluster has been reported at an Avantara care facility in Rapid City. The South Dakota Health Department says 42 residents and staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
The first cluster occurred in early June at Avantara’s Arrowhead Drive care facility where 67 residents and staff were infected. According to the Department of Health, 55 have recovered.
This latest outbreak is at the facility’s St. Cloud Street location.
The state epidemiologist says Avantara took steps to decrease the spread of transmission when the first case was identified at the Saint Cloud facility.
Dr. Joshua Clayton says, “The focus is really on the response that’s occurred at the facility and not finding the point-source of the infection. That is often difficult if not impossible to identify, not only for COVID-19, but also for any other infection.”
