STURGIS, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Health says keeping an overall COVID-19 tally in conjunction with the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally will be difficult.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton says cases from out-out-state residents will have to be investigated by their home states that will only notify South Dakota in certain cases.
“The individuals who might be from out of state, those are investigated by their home state. When exposures occur that require additional follow-up by the state, we would be notified by those state agencies of individuals that have been exposed, or the presence of the potential for larger spread when individuals are not able to identify all of their close contacts.”
In both instances, Clayton said the DOH works closely with other states and that there’s a notification system in place for those types of exposures.
When it comes to Sturgis, the DOH might be looking at case notifications from a majority of states as 250,000 rally-goers are expected this year.
The DOH said last week that they will provide information if South Dakota cases “rise to the level of a cluster” after the rally.
