State Health officials say new positive COVID-19 cases increasing, encourage vaccination for young people

The state has seen an increase in the number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 this week.  Over the past couple of days, hospitalizations have increased to 113. 

State Epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton said that over the past week, the number of new positive COVID-19 cases has been increasing at a larger rate.

Dr. Clayton said the COVID-19 variants continue to increase as well.

Dr. Clayton said that South Dakota has at least one case of variant virus in every age group. 

Health officials say since April 1st, 424 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in people ages 20-29, and only 17 new cases in the 80+ age range.   State Health Secretary Kim Malsom-Rysdon said that this younger age group needs to seriously consider the benefits of getting vaccinated.

The state Department of Health reported that 51-percent of the state’s population had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of yesterday, while just more than 36-percent were fully vaccinated. 

(Thanks in part, KBHB)