There has been an increase in the amount of people who have reached out to healthcare professionals in South Dakota. As of lunch hour on Wednesday, more than 900 South Dakotans have been tested for COVID-19. The number of pending tests jumped from 35 on Tuesday to 350 on Wednesday as the state waits for supplies to continue processing results.
Dr. Jerome Freeman is a Neurology Specialist at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls. He stated that it’s important for people to collaborate, share, and look out for one another. Dr. Freeman said this is especially true for people in healthcare. He said it’s important to give patients the care they demand, but at the same time, being cautious.
"Healthcare providers have always understood that there are risks with doing the job correctly, in order to care for our patients with any infectious diseases," said Freeman. "There’s always some risk undertaken of contracting an infection. With the coronavirus, unfortunately, it appears to be very contagious and so precautions need to be heightened."
Dr Freeman believes all of the medical institutions in South Dakota are taking a proactive approach. He said Sanford, for example, is having continuous conversation with physicians, nurses and other medical staff regarding the process for treating patients.