Vermillion distillery producing sanitizer

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) – A Vermillion distillery is among those that have reshaped their usual business plan to meet the needs of the coronavirus pandemic.

Valiant Vineyards Winery & Distillery has turned its focus away from producing award-winning whiskey and their wine to producing sanitizer and sanitary wipes.

Valiant Vineyards CEO Eldon Nygaard tells KELO-TV they’ve been making their sanitation products since last week and have seen their impact stretch across the area with orders from some communities for the approaching election.

Nygaard says these products make little to no profit for his company, but that they will continue to produce them as long as their needed.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.