COVID-19

New data from the federal government reveal more information about the Paycheck Protection Program, including some of the loan recipients. 

And that information shows the program’s deep and wide reach in South Dakota. 

In The Moment ... July 7, 2020 Show 853 Hour 1

Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender checks in to provide an update on COVID-19 and how its affecting things in his city like the Civic Center, Rapid Transit, and the Emergency Care Shelter.

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A frontline healthcare provider from the Navajo Nation is concerned about the impact the weekend’s 4th of July events will have on South Dakota’s Native communities. The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board says Native Americans already make up half of Pennington County’s COVID-19 cases.

Dr. Karen Williams is an enrolled member of the Susanville Indian Rancheria of California. She’s a hospitalist physician at a facility within the Navajo Nation, which has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the country during the pandemic.

In The Moment … July 6, 2020 Show 852 Hour 1

For the past 15 weeks or so we have been immersed in a pandemic and each day that goes by we seem to learn something new about Covid-19. Nationally it looks like the numbers are on the rise and depending on who you ask, perhaps locally too. On Monday's we bring local medical professionals on to help us better understand what this is and what's changing. Today we welcome back Dr. Shankar Kurra, he is vice president of Medical Affairs at Monument Health.

In The Moment … July 2, 2020 Show 851 Hour 2

South Dakota colleges and universities were forced to pivot quickly when COVID-19 cases were first confirmed in the state. As students plan for a return to campus, we check in with school leaders for a look at how organizational changes are helping mitigate the risk of the pandemic and keep students, faculty, and staff safe.

Jerilyn Roberts is associate vice president for Facilities, Risk, and Services at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

The South Dakota Department of Health will not encourage people who attend this weekend’s fireworks show at Mt. Rushmore to get a COVID-19 test afterward. Instead, health officials say people should to take measures on their own to prevent spreading the virus. 

Around 7,500 people have tickets to Friday’s fireworks display, which President Donald Trump plans to attend. Masks are not required, and Governor Kristi Noem says they will not enforce any social distancing measures.

Avera eCARE is receiving more than $800,000 dollars in federal funding to enhance emergency telehealth services. The additional equipment will give rural hospitals much-needed support in caring for COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Brian Skow oversees emergency virtual care for more than 100 sites as the Medical Director for Avera eCARE. He says the federal money will support additional equipment in up to 60 hospitals throughout South Dakota and the Midwest.

In The Moment … June 29, 2020 Show 848 Hour 1

In The Moment … June 29, 2020 Show 848 Hour 1

South Dakota has recorded our first case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in a child. Research scientists are learning more about the tentacles of Sars-CoV-2, and cities across the nation are grappling with opening up, surges in cases, and locking back down.  It's time for our weekly check-in on what we know about COVID-19 here in South Dakota. Joining us this week is Dr. Jason Knutson, a Family Medicine Physician with Avera. Health reporting on SDPB is supported by Monument Health of Rapid City 

When state Sen. Jeff Partridge urged his fellow legislators to approve the creation of a small-business relief fund at the end of March, he made a prediction. 

He said the money would be needed by the kinds of businesses “that we might not even be thinking of yet.” 

Across South Dakota, life forms made of stone inhabit the high places. None of these petroforms are officially protected, though a few, are intentionally maintained by private landowners. Plus, a close look at the state's pandemic relief fund reveals a detail about SD's hospitality industry. Also, what is the new syndrome affecting children who have COVID-19? All this and more in today’s SDPB News Podcast. Find it on Apple Podcasts or 

The first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome is confirmed in a South Dakota COVID-19 patient. The syndrome appears to impact children with coronavirus.

State Department of Health officials say the case is in a child under the age of 18 in eastern South Dakota. They would not release the specific county of residence, citing confidentiality concerns.

State epidemiologist Josh Clayton says the inflammatory syndrome impacts multiple organ systems.  

Small businesses in South Dakota may get an opportunity to apply for pandemic-relief grants. 

Gov. Kristi Noem said the money would come from the $1.25 billion in federal aid the state already received.  

Noem is busy finding ways to spend that federal money. This week, she’s on a tour of the state. The focus of her message is $200 million from that federal package that can reimburse local governments for pandemic expenses. 

In The Moment … June 22, 2020 Show 843 Hour 1

Three months into this pandemic, our medical professionals are learning more and more every day. Each week, we have invited various doctors onto the show to fill us in on the latest. Today we welcome Dr. Wendell Hoffman back.

Health reporting on SDPB is supported by Monument Health of Rapid City

When a family member is diagnosed with COVID-19, what do you do? SDPBs Lura Roti finds out by visiting with a Sioux Falls mother who recently cared for her college-age daughter.

What do you do when your 20-year-old daughter calls crying to let you know she tested positive for COVID-19? If you’re Pam Cole, you pack up your home office and drive to Vermillion.

Nearly all long-term care residents and staff in South Dakota have been tested for COVID-19. Now, the Department of Health has released guidelines for reopening those facilities. 

The plan includes three phases with different levels of restrictions. The first phase now allows outdoor visits between residents and family if the facility has completed mass testing. All residents, staff and visitors must wear masks and be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

In this weeks podcast we get a COVID-19 update, hear about the issues with having a newborn during the pandemic, and a couple Political Junkies breakdown the top headlines from the week.

What is it like to welcome a baby into the world during a pandemic? SDPB's Lura Roti visits with newborn Charlie Bies's parents, grandparents and doctor to find out.

Four-days old in this recording, Charlie Bies won’t understand until he’s much older, but he was born during an unprecedented time. And unlike the experience his big sister, Adelaide had when she was born nearly two years ago, many of those who love him, have not been able to cuddle him yet. 

Sturgis will hold a motorcycle rally in early August, but city leaders will make adjustments for COVID-19 and hope for smaller crowds. 

Dakota State University in Madison will offer students an expanded move-in window to limit the number of people in residence halls. That’s just once of the adjustments to prevent coronavirus transmission when students return to campus. 

Classes at Dakota State University and all other public universities will begin a little earlier than usual with the first day on Wednesday, August 19th.

In The Moment … June 16, 2020 Show 839 Hour 2

As with everything these days, it seems we have to find ways of doing things more safely. Traveling this summer is no exception and if you should choose to do so, there are steps you can take to make that journey safer. Dr. Leah Prestbo is an internal medicine physician with Avera and she joins us to discuss those steps.

In The Moment … June 16, 2020 Show 839 Hour 1

In The Moment … June 15, 2020 Show 838 Hour 2

Each week we have asked various medical professionals to join us to provide the most current information available regarding COVID-19. Each of these segments has been informative as these said professionals learn new stuff every day. Joining us today is Dr. Shankaar Kurra, he's the vice president of medical affairs at Monument Health.

South Dakota had fewer new unemployment claims last week than any other state, and it was the only state with fewer than 1,000 new claims. 

The number of new claims in South Dakota was 817. That continues a downward trend since weekly claims peaked at more than 8,000 in early April. 

City leaders in Sturgis are considering a compromise plan for this year’s annual motorcycle rally. 

Some residents say canceling the rally would devastate the local economy. Others say allowing the rally would expose residents to an outbreak of COVID-19. 

In The Moment … June 9, 2020 Show 834 Hour 2

The disruption in the supply food chain has been an issue for South Dakota producers, particularly pork producers. The physical and emotional stress placed on these individuals is real.  Joining us today is Karl Oehlke, he's a physician assistant with Avera Medical Group/University Psychiatry Associates. He's also a 3rd generation farmer.  

Health reporting on SDPB is supported by Monument Health of Rapid City

In The Moment … June 9, 2020 Show 834 Hour 2

As we continue our conversations on the pandemic's consequences for the food supply chain, we look at the economic impacts of meat plant closures. The weaknesses we're seeing now were there before COVID-19...so what do we need to do after? Evert Vander Sluis joins us now, he's a professor of economics at South Dakota State University.

In The Moment … June 8, 2020 Show 833 Hour 1

The most recent jobs report seemed to give the stock market a shot of optimism after tanking in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. But things are still pretty bleak...and to be honest, I'm as confused as most people.  Luckily, Rick Kahler is here to help us out.  He's the founder and president of the Kahler Financial Group, a leader in the field of financial therapy, and the author of several financial books including 2009's Wire for Wealth. 

During the pandemic, South Dakotans haven’t had to look for work while receiving unemployment benefits. 

But that could change by August. 

In The Moment … June 3, 2020 Show 830 Hour 2

Being elected mayor of any city brings challenges but who could have predicted being that mayor during a pandemic followed by large peaceful protests calling for police reform paired with unrest and looting? Paul TenHaken is the mayor of Sioux Falls and is experiencing just that. He joins us today with insight as to how leading South Dakota's largest city given the circumstances has been.