PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – While South Dakota is still seeing an increase of positive COVID-19 cases daily, the rate is falling much lower than earlier projections.

Governor Kristi Noem says they continue to watch carefully.

Noem says hospital usage has stayed under critical limits.

Noem says despite the lower numbers, social distancing and other precautions need to stay in place.

Noem says they are not yet changing the models which show a sharp peak in infection rates from mid-June into early July.