BROOKINGS, S.D.(KJJQ)- The Brookings City Council held a work session Tuesday night and devoted a portion of the meeting to a discussion of COVID-19. With the surge in cases, the state Department of Health has categorized Brookings County in the “high community spread” category.

Among those speaking to the council Tuesday night, epidemiologist Bonnie Specker. She says the South Dakota pattern of increasing cases is similar to other states where cases have exploded.

Tim Heath is the Immunization Program Manager for the South Dakota Department of Health. He says getting people vaccinated is key to controlling this virus.

Council Member Nick Wendell wonders if they can use federal pandemic relief funds to provide monetary incentives to those who get shots.  City Manager Paul Briseno says that’s something they’re checking.

Heath says there are plenty of vaccine supplies available in the state.