YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- Covid-19 infections related to the Delta variant are surging across the country and the region.

Liz Healy, infection control specialist at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton says they have seen the PCR positive test rate rise over the past three weeks from about three percent to nearly sixteen percent.

Healy says the vaccination rate is also stalling.

Healy says that means more people will be gathering inside.

Lindsay Flannery, vice president of patient care services at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton says they are getting ready for more Covid patients.

Flannery says they have a lot of needed materials on hand.

Flannery says they have reactivated their Covid reaction team.

Flannery says they are concerned about the stress the surge could put on their staff again as they handle the patient load.