PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says there are no new cases of COVID-19 in the state today.
In fact, she says they have learned more about the seven people who currently have the virus and says they all traveled outside of the state and its believe that is where they contracted it.
“All of them are in isolation at home at this time. The average of close contacts they have had is 10 people, so a pretty small minimal of people they had close contact with,” Noem said Thursday.
“There a total of seven of those close contact that are systematic at this time (showing symptoms of COVID-10) and those individuals are all being tested.”
Noem says they have reached out to all the close contacts and none of the affected people have participated in any large, community gatherings in South Dakota.
She says they are continuing to wait on a cause of death for the male in his 60’s who died earlier this week. That male tested positive for virus, but it’s not known if that’s what led to his death.
Noem reminds citizens across the state what they need to do if they don’t feel well.
“We are continuing to work closely with the C.D.C. and make sure we have everything that we need,” Noem stated. “Remember, not everyone who has symptoms needs to be tested. That’s why if you don’t feel well, call your health care provider.”
She says health experts will go through the correct protocol to determine whether or not an individual would need to be tested.
Noem says they do expect some more cases to come back positive for COVID-19, but as of now, she says there does not appear to be a community wide spread of the virus in South Dakota. But, she says, things seem to change on a daily basis with this virus.
The state has gotten $4.5-million dollars to aid in the state’s response to the virus.
Health Secretary Kim Malsom-Rysden says they have just received the guidance on those dollars.
“We just received guidance on those dollars today but have not had a chance to go through them yet. We expect that those dollars will help up with response efforts. Right now, we have the ability to provide tests for free without those dollars.”
Noem and the health department also say they don’t have any confirmed cases from Hughes County, or Pierre. That after a lawmaker went home sick today.
Noem says you can stay up to date on the very latest by visiting COVID.SD.GOV.
Listen to today’s Press Conference on the On Demand page here:
