Three more positive cases of COVID-19 reported Thursday in Beadle County

The state is reporting three new positive cases of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, after testing resumed on high priority tests Thursday at the state health lab.  This brings the state’s total number of positive cases now to 14. All three of the positive cases reported Thursday are in Beadle County. The cases are two males and one female and they are in their 30’s, 40’s, and 60’s.

Governor Kristi Noem said that the state’s Infectious Disease team will be investigating the Beadle County cases to help determine if there is any community spread.  She said if there is community spread, then the state will need to follow the guidelines established by the CDC.

Noem said the state lab was able to run 94 tests out of a total of 385 that had been pending.  She said that the state is testing the high priority tests first. Some of the lower priority tests are being sent to commercial labs out of state, which may take a little longer to get results. 

Noem said that currently there are 123 out of 149 school districts providing meals for kids during this time of school closure.  She encouraged residents who are not as vulnerable to the Coronavirus to help out families of those who must continue to go to work during this time.

The governor said that this is all something that South Dakotans will get through.

Governor Noem encourages people to continue to take the necessary precautions and practice social distancing to continue to help to control the spread of COVID-19.Â