PIERRE, .S.D – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem on Thursday says she is asking the National Guard to help in the fight of COVID-19.
During her media briefing, the governor said the National Guard will help set up hospital capacity in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
Federal funding will help cover the cost of using the National Guard.
Noem said the National Guard will be building up supplemental facilities and that it is important to keep COVID-19 patients separate from others.
Highlighting today’s news of 36 new positive COVID-19 tests, Noem said more COVID-19 projections will be made available on Friday. The state will also be giving details on the models South Dakota is using for these projections.
Noem said businesses in the state need to continue to be innovative and practice social distancing, while adjusting hours and business models.
Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon said that hospitals in the state are preparing to see an increase in patients.
As of today, 17 people were hospitalized with COVID-19.
