Governor Kristi Noem says a county in east central South Dakota is at risk of community spread of the coronavirus within a matter of days.
Those comments come as six new cases appear in Beadle County, bringing their total COVID-19 cases up to 10.
The state is confirming seven new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases statewide up to 21.
Beadle County has almost half of them. Six new cases were announced there, ages ranging from 10 years old to the 60’s. Noem says the investigation indicates the new cases are related to current cases—meaning they’ve interacted with someone who has already tested positive. Noem is asking Beadle County to take extra steps to protect its population.
“I’m asking them to take more specific, greater hygiene practices,” Noem says. “Schools will be close. We’re encouraging them to do telework where possible. The rest of the state, we’ve already encouraged that. Beadle County, I want them to take that seriously. Self-isolation is very important. For Beadle County, I want them to stagger their work schedules. I want them to limit non-essential work travel and do regular health checks on individuals making sure that they are staying home, they’re staying healthy, and they’re taking the situation in their county specific and seriously.”
Brown County now has a case of coronavirus. The state says it’s travel related.
Noem says more than 700, low-priority, tests are being done out-of-state. She says the state will have an update on 29 high-priority tests soon.
Noem says six people who’ve previously tested positive for COVID-19 have fully recovered.