State health officials watching spread of COVID-19 variants

The rate of decrease in COVID-19 infections has slowed down and that has the attention of public health officials.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton says the rate is the same now as it was early last summer.

Clayton says the infection rate was dropping quite quickly for several weeks.

Clayton says they are also watching for any more spread of COVID-19 variants.

There have now been three confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant in the state so far.  The state Department of Health is including information on the variants on its website at covid.sd.gov. 

(Thanks in part, WNAX)