This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.
The number of South Dakotans actively infected with COVID-19 has fallen to about 3,600.
Dr. Shankar Kurra is the vice-president of medical affairs at Monument Health in Rapid City.
He says vulnerable populations, including people over 65, should continue taking basic precautions.
"We can't just assume it's all over. Now, having said that, all of the epidemiological evidence shows that we're out of the pandemic phase—we're probably, by summer, going to be in a new normal with very few infections."
The latest report from the state Department of Health includes seven new deaths, bringing the state’s toll to 2,834.
There are 122 people with COVID in South Dakota hospitals.