PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The race is on between Covid-19 vaccinations and another infection surge.

South Dakota State Epidemiologist Dr Josh Clayton says more rapid vaccinations will tamp down that infection curve.

Clayton says Covid variants are still a threat.

Clayton says there may be some infection increases and decreases from week to week for some time.

So far, none of the variants have been detected in South Dakota.

The addition of a third Covid-19 vaccine will help expand the number of immunizations available.

South Dakota Health Department Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon says their weekly shipments continue to increase slowly.

Malsam-Rysdon says they are seeing some out of state residents attempt to register for vaccinations.

At least twenty six percent of the states eligible population has had at least one dose of a vaccine so far.

Next scheduled press briefing regarding COVID-19 is Wednesday, March 17th.