PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – When the coronavirus pandemic was first spreading, state health officials estimated that by July 1 as many as 130,000 people in South Dakota could be infected and there would be a need for 5,000 hospital beds. The total number of infections has fallen well below those projections.

State Epidemiologist Dr Josh Clayton says the initial prediction models used some broad estimates.

Clayton says infections are still spreading, but at different rates across the state.

Clayton says they have changed their reporting to include more local information.

The state has recorded just over 6,800 positive cases and 93 deaths so far.