SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KBHB) — The South Dakota Department of Health says today that the number of positive cases of coronavirus has increased by 138 since Sunday. There are 868 positive tests for COVID-19 as of today, with 44 total hospitalizations so far, 207 people recovering, and more than 81-hundred testing negative.

Minnehaha County has 654 cases, as a public health emergency declared for that county continues.  Around 300 cases involve workers from Smithfield Foods pork plant in Sioux Falls, which is now closed indefinitely by the owners.

Sanford Health and Governor Noem also announced today that the state is hosting the nation’s first clinical trial for the drug Hydroxychloroquine, used to treat other diseases like malaria, to test its effectiveness against coronavirus.  Sanford, Avera, and Monument are part of the trial.

Governor Kristi Noem says there is good news and not such good news on COVID-19.

Governor Noem urges everyone to keep up with social distancing and increased hygiene protocols.

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