YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – Many health care providers are struggling to take care of the COVID positive patients they are seeing, while at the same time trying to keep the infection out of their long-term care facilities.

Doug Ekeren, regional president for Avera Health, says they are already dealing with many regulations.

Ekeren says they recognize the residents and families are in a difficult situation.

Ekeren says they are doing multiple tests at their long term care facilities.

The death rate from COVID-19 is highest among the elderly.