PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Information released by the state Department of Health Wednesday shows all three Hughes County residents and one of the two Lyman County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

The state reports 73 new positive tests and 407 new negative tests.

State epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton says they don’t know how many people have COVID-19, but don’t have severe enough symptoms to be tested.

Nearly ¾ of the positive cases have been on the eastern side of the state. Clayton says that’s not surprising because of where people live.

State Secretary of Health Kim Malsam-Rysdon says they’re working with rural hospitals to see what additional staff and equipment may be needed for them to care for COVID-19 positive patients in their service areas.

Currently the number of positive cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota is expected to peak in mid-June.

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