WATERTOWN, S.D. (KXLG) – COVID-19 cases are increasing in the Codington County area and are beginning to reach levels not seen since the pandemic began in March of this year. The South Dakota Department of Health has defined substantial community spread as greater than 28 cases. Codington County now has more than twice that number.

Dr. Svien Senne, a Pulmonologist with Prairie Lakes Healthcare in Watertown feels the number of cases are under-represented.

Dr. Seene says Prairie Lakes Healthcare and a few other healthcare facilities are continuing to do antibody testing. The testing up to this point has been self-selected.

According to the South Dakota Department of Health Website, Codington County has seen 12 patients that have even been hospitalized during the pandemic. Dr. Senne says Prairie Lakes is in a good position to treat these patients.

As winter approaches, Dr. Senne says it’s time to re-evaluate when you should go to work or school and when we should go home.

Dr. Senne says one of the most important ways to protect the community its to continue wearing your facemasks when in public.

As of Thursday, Codington County has had 191 active cases of COVID-19, there are 132 cases that have recovered and 58 cases that remain active.