PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem says testing has confirmed three more positive cases of COVID-19 today — all three cases are in Beadle County.
Testing of nearly 400 samples resumed today after being delayed due to the lack of supplies.
The state halted testing after running low on the enzymes and reagents that are used for chemical analysis. There is a nationwide shortage of those testing elements.
Noem says they were able to test 94 samples today, with 3 of those testing positive for COVID-19.
The latest cases in Beadle County are in two males and one female. They are in the 30-39, 40-49 and 60-69 age group. Noem said some tested were high-priority because they worked in the healthcare system.
There are now 14 cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota.
Noem says health officials will be reaching out further to interview the three latest individuals who tested positive to check their travel history and who they have been in contact with.
All are high-risk and still being determined if they are community spread. Governor Noem says some of these people have been in contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19. Some of these new positive cases have traveled as well, she said.
So far, South Dakota has not had a confirmed community spread of COVID-19 — all cases so far have been in residents with a travel history outside the state.
