HURON — With nearly 20% of all cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota during the pandemic occurring in November, it is not surprising that the month had relatively high numbers of cases and deaths both statewide and locally. What was potentially disheartening was that as case numbers increased in the fall months ahead of the past two Novembers, then this November could continue the trend of increasing positive tests.
This year, November’s higher numbers came in the midst of two straight months of decreasing case numbers statewide and three straight months of declining case numbers in the Heartland Region.
Statewide, after peeking during the summer with 7,261 cases in August, numbers drastically declined the past two months, but 4,610 South Dakotans were diagnosed with COVID-19 for the first time in November, nearly twice the total in October.
The state also added 40 deaths, the second time since March this year that it reached 40 deaths in a month (May recorded 44 virus-related deaths).
Beadle County added 130 new positive cases and one death in November.
The new cases are the most in a month since 176 were recorded in July.
The Heartland Region reported 270 new positive cases and three deaths.
Beadle, Clark, and Kingsbury each recorded one virus-related fatality in the month. The seven-county region has now reported 178 COVID-related deaths.
Numbers through November statewide and locally for November (change in parenthesis)
South Dakota
Positive: 268,797 (+4,610)
Deaths: 3,099 (+40)
Ever Hospitalized: 12,075 (+177)
Currently Hospitalized: 74 (+18)
Clark
Positive: 919 (+22)
Deaths: 12 (+1)
Hand
Positive: 640 (+10)
Deaths: 13
Jerauld
Kingsbury
Positive: 1,495 (+26)
Deaths: 25 (+1)
Sanborn
Positive: 655 (+19)
Deaths: 8
Spink
Positive: 1,657 (+56)
Deaths: 36
