RAPID CITY, S.D. (KBHB) — Rapid City’s Mayor says he has confirmed that there is a difference in the number of coronavirus cases between east river and west river, and answered rumors that hardly any testing is being done in the western part of South Dakota.

Mayor Steve Allender says many people have questioned the high number of east-river positives, and almost no COVID-19 activity west-river. Allender says health officials tell him the testing numbers are accurate.

Mayor Allender urged everyone to follow the social distancing rules. He cited recent shopping trips where the parking lots were full of people who were NOT distancing, and said everyone needs to shop “strategically” and choose times and situations where you can shop and still do social distancing.

Allender says there are still some reports of people congregating closely and not following social distancing in places like Founders Park and other public places. He again asked residents not to force the city to be “reactive” and resort to curfews.

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