Three additional positive COVID-19 cases reported in the state

Three more people in the state have tested positive for the Coronavirus, or COVID-19.  Governor Kristi Noem announced Wednesday that the three additional cases included two in Minnehaha and one in Bon Homme county.  The two new Minnehaha cases are men in their 40’s and 50’s, and the Bon Homme case is a male in his 60’s. This brings the total number of positive COVID-19 cases to eight in the state.  Other counties with positive cases include Beadle, Charles Mix, and Davison counties. Governor Noem said Tuesday that a Pennington County man had died, but had underlying health problems and officials haven’t confirmed if his death was caused by the virus.  The state reports that two of the three newest positive cases had travel history in the past week, and the other is one they continue to investigate.  

In a news conference Wednesday, the governor said that more testing is expected in the coming days.

Noem said the most vulnerable population are the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.

Noem said the state remains in contact with nursing homes, schools, tribes and other state agencies and organizations regarding the situation.  She said that the state has been preparing for the Coronavirus for the last couple of months.

Noem encourages people to continue to take precautions, avoid crowded areas, and make wise decisions.

More information is available at www.covid.sd.gov or by calling 1-800-997-2880.