PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people pushed routine doctor visits aside.

SD Interim Health Secretary Joan Adams:

Examples Adams provided were a rise in mental health issues, as well as a decrease in children being vaccinated against common diseases.

January’s surge in COVID-19 cases restarted conversations on the importance of using mitigation efforts to contain the virus.

To date, 71% of South Dakotans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Just over two months ago, South Dakota experienced its second largest surge in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began.

Since then, cases have dropped dramatically.

While COVID-19 is expected to be an endemic virus, future waves may be less impactful with what health officials have learned over the past two years.

Adams says that it’s still important to take COVID-19 seriously, even as cases decline.