The state Department of Health reports that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Minnehaha County with a male in his 20s. It's the first Omicron detection in South Dakota, but the department says it is safe to assume other cases exist in the state.
The findings were verified by the Public Health Laboratory in Pierre.
“The best way to protect yourself from severe disease with this variant is to get vaccinated,” said Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist. “We urge South Dakotans to monitor for symptoms and get tested as soon as they experience symptoms.”
The department says currently available vaccines have so far proven effective to protect people against hospitalization and death from COVID-19.