ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – As the region continues to see an increase in patients with COVID-19, Avera St. Luke’s is taking additional measures in its surge plan. This includes temporarily closing the Avera Medical Group Groton and having limited hours at Avera Clinic of Ellendale as of Monday, November 23.

Temporarily closing the Groton clinic and moving to limited hours in Ellendale allows Avera to redeploy the clinics’ staff to areas of greater need, which includes Avera St. Luke’s in Aberdeen.

“We believe having access to rural health care is incredibly important, and we are committed to continuing to serve these towns in the future,” said Todd Forkel, President and CEO of Avera St. Luke’s Hospital.

Patients of these facilities and community residents should still seek medical care when necessary. Our clinics in Aberdeen are open and safe to visit. Avera also continues to offer virtual care.

The public can help slow the spread of COVID-19 and lessen the surge of patients by practicing good hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has affirmed that wearing masks can help communities slow the spread of COVID-19 when worn consistently and correctly by a majority of people in public settings. Masks are most effective when used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting.