SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (By South Dakota reported four more coronavirus deaths on Friday, pushing the state’s total to 21.
The four deaths were Minnehaha County residents. Two were women and two were men. One was in the 60-69 age range, one was in the 70-79 age range and two were in the 80-plus age range, according to the South Dakota Department of Health
In Brown County, the number of confirmed cases went up by three to 42. Thursday, the number of new cases was seven.
Locally, there have been 23 full recoveries, 1 person ever hospitalized, no deaths and 613 negative tests, according to the health department.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Dakota increased by 76 Friday. South Dakota has a total of 2,525 COVID-19 cases and 21 deaths due to COVID-19, according to the health department. That doesn’t include people who show symptoms or are asymptomatic but are not tested.
Statewide, there have been 14,838 negative cases.
Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon said the state’s current capacity is 3,000 tests per day, and the numbers reflect that that level of testing isn’t being done. She said that they’re confident that that number of tests will be done going forward and increase to 5,000 tests per day.
The capacity of processing 3,000 tests is at a variety of labs that include the state public health lab, medical facilities and commercial labs, Malsam-Rysdon said. Gov. Kristi Noem added that the test supply chain has gotten better and she doesn’t anticipate testing shortages in the future.
Gov. Kristi Noem said on Friday that her Back to Normal Plan still requires South Dakotans to social distance.
“I know it’s nice outside. We would all love to go back to how things were six to seven months ago, but I still need you to physical distance. I still need you to be diligent about keeping our vulnerable population at home,” Noem said.
Noem said she’s had several conversations with Smithfield Foods about reopening in the last couple days and she hopes there will be an announcement about its reopening next week.
The state is helping to provide personal protection equipment and coronavirus testing for Smithfield employees, Noem said.
She said the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to provide some guidance about meat processing plants in the country.
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