The South Dakota Department of Health says COVID-19 vaccinations for people 65 and older will continue through the end of next week. Then vaccines will open up for people with an existing medical condition.
Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon says the state is receiving more vaccine doses.
“We know that next week’s allocation of vaccines, again this is just the state allocation, will increase to 18,830 first doses. That’s up from 17,660 first doses this week.”
Malsam-Rysdon says the increase of doses does not include those given by federal agencies.
The health department says people with one underlying medical condition are next to be vaccinated. Some conditions include asthma, diabetes and individuals who are immunocompromised.
State health department reports 163 new COVID-19 cases and one death.
- The latest fatality brings the state’s death toll to 1,864 people. 86 South Dakotans have died in February so far.
- Active cases are down to 1,891.
- Hospitalizations are up to 102 people.
- Health systems have distributed more than 191,000 doses of COVID vaccine. Roughly 22 percent of people in the state have received their first dose. About 10 percent have completed the full vaccine series.
State Epidemiologist Says February Flu Cases Are Down
In additional health news, State health officials say influenza cases are down significantly this year.
State epidemiologist Josh Clayton says the drop in cases is unusual compared to previous seasons.
“So far this season, we’ve seen 45 influenza cases, seven hospitalizations and two deaths due to influenza. The same time last year we’ve had already seen around 7,600 cases, 270 hospitalizations and 12 deaths from influenza.”
Clayton says the health department tests for the flu while processing COVID-19 tests.
“Some of the specimens that we’re testing at the public health laboratory are being tested for influenza as part of our surveillance program. That process has not identified any additional influenza-positive persons as well.”
Clayton says it’s not too late to get a seasonal flu shot. He says it takes about two weeks for antibodies to form and protect against infection.
