PIERRE, S.D. – For the first time since January 24, active cases of COVID-19 are approaching 4,000.
In their Friday report, the health department reported 439 new cases of COVID-19 with active cases now at 3,992. Of the 439 new cases, 60 are listed as probable.
The number of people receiving care in the state’s hospitals because of the virus increased by 12 Friday to 168. The Black Hills area, as of today, accounts for the most COVID-19 hospitalizations with 80. There are 61 in the Sioux Empire. Monument Health says the majority of those hospitalized are not vaccinated.
Two new deaths were reported, sending the state’s death toll since the pandemic began to 2,062. The two new deaths were reported out of Pennington and Minnehaha counties.
In Pennington County, there were 120 confirmed cases Friday, along with 21 cases considered probable.
Meade County added 47 confirmed cases and 5 probable and Lawrence County reported 32 confirmed cases with 4 probable.
Elsewhere across the Black Hills area, Butte County added 10 new cases, Fall River had 5, three were reported in Custer County and one new case was listed in Oglala Lakota.
