PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – Surgeon General of the United States Vice Admiral Jerome Adams joined state health officials in Pierre Tuesday at the opening of a mass testing site for Covid-19. Adams says he understands the pandemic is wearing on people across the country.

Adams expects the general public to have access to the vaccine by early 2021.

Adams endorses the use of masks and says is own views on their use as changed as science is showing their effectiveness in slowing the virus. He believes South Dakota can get the current surge under control.

Adams also visited a hospital in Rosebud Monday where he says the emergency room was  completely packed and expanding the ER into the hospital.