PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Thursday’s South Dakota Department of Health data shows there are a combined 1360 new confirmed and new probable cases of COVID-19 in the state since yesterday.

State epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton reminds people to be sure you have what you need to stay safe before you leave home.

Clayton explains how the positivity rate is calculated.

The Department of Health’s covid.sd.gov website shows there are 475 people currently receiving hospital care because of the coronavirus. Those patients currently occupy 17.3% of the staffed hospital beds in the state. Other patients are using 50.9% of the staffed beds leaving 31.8% available. Of the staffed intensive care unit beds in the state, COVID-19 patients are using 30.7%, other patients occupy 39.7% and 29.7% are available to be used.

A confirmed case of COVID-19 is defined as persons with a positive RT-PCR test. A probable case is defined as persons with a positive antigen test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.