PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says three more positive tests for COVID-19 were released today, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 8.
The Governor says the three new cases are in Minnehaha and Bon Homme Counties. Two of the cases are in Minnehaha; a male in the 40-49 year age range and a male in the 50-59 year age range. The Bon Homme County case is also a male, in the 60-69 year age range. All three are being treated at home. Two of them were traveling, but it’s not known if the other person was or not.
The three additional cases follow yesterday’s announcement of five cases with one death of COVID-19 – the first reported in South Dakota.
The one death was a male in the 60-69 year age range with underlying health conditions. Testing is being done to see if the male actually died from COVID-19 or something else.
Noem says they will now monitor this virus on a day to day basis and because this virus affects the elderly and those with compromised immune systems the worst, they are reaching out to them across the state.
“And I want to remind South Dakotans that 80-percent of people who do get this virus will have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. However, I want to remind those that are older or have compromised health conditions to stay home. If they aren’t feeling well, call your health care provider and they will let you know the correct path to take.”
Noem says additional testing is being done and expect more positive cases. But, on that note, Noem reminds people not to panic but make good decisions. More information is available at COVID.SD.US.
Noem says the website is getting high traffic. Since being set up yesterday, it had registered 30,000 visits.
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced $4,567,500 in funding to South Dakota to support fighting COVID-19.
“Our state, local, tribal and territorial public health partners are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The action we are taking today will continue to support their efforts to increase public health capacity where it’s needed most,” CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield said in a statement. “These funds will allow public health leaders to implement critical steps necessary to contain and mitigate spread of the virus in communities across the country.”
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